RONÎDA HACÎ

Hasakah- The Women’s Council of North and East Syria held a meeting in the city of Hasaka on July 8, 2024 with the participation of 130 women from different organizations. After the meeting, a committee consisting of 30 women was formed for drafting a Social Contract for women. NuJINHA spoke to some women, who attended the meeting.

‘We should organize ourselves’

“A historical step was taken in North and East Syria for women,” said Hediya Şemo, Spokesperson of Rajava Yazidi Women’s Union. “Women always have important roles and missions in their society; however, their roles and missions were taken away from them following the emergence of patriarchal systems. Today, hundreds of women struggle and make great efforts to protect their own truth and history. The revolution in Rojava took place thanks to the struggle and efforts of women. Since this revolution brought many valuable gains with it, forming a committee to draft a social contract for women was essential. As Yazidi women, we attended the meeting because Yazidi women have been subjected to genocidal attacks throughout history. We should organize ourselves to protect ourselves from genocidal attacks.”

‘The contract is an indicator of success and democracy’

In her speech, Siham Qeriyo, Co-chair of the People's Assembly of North and East Syria, drew attention to the importance of the presence of Syriac women in the contract. “As Syriac women, we attended the meeting and will play our role in drafting the contract. The contract is actually an indicator of success and democracy. Women of all nationalities and ethnic groups will work together to draft the contract. I believe that their unity will be a role model for the whole world.”

‘A historical step is being taken’

Enahîd Qasebiyan, Co-chair of Armenian Women’s Union of North and East Syria, pointed to the genocidal attacks on Armenian, Syriac and Yazidi people and said, “History is full of genocidal attacks. The Ottoman Empire committed a genocide against us, Armenians. Syriac and Yazidi people were also subjected to genocidal attacks. Today, the Turkish state is an occupying state. Today, a historical step is being taken by women of North and East Syria. As Armenian women, we will also play our role in drafting the women’s social contract to protect our values, Armenian women from genocidal attacks and prevent possible genocides. As Armenian, Syriac, Kurdish and Yazidi people, we share the same pain. The Women’s Social Contract is a victory for us to preserve our existence.”