PERWÎN AMARA

Qamishlo- the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) was established following the Rojava Revolution led by women in North and East Syria. Thanks to the revolution and the resistance of Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Circassians, Armenians and people from different nationalities and ethnic groups, Kurdish children today learn their history and culture in their native language. Since the start of the revolution, many organizations and institutions have been founded. The Women’s Council of Martyrs’ Families is one of them. The council previously carried out its activities as a committee until it held its conference in 2018. At the conference, the name of the committee was changed to its current name of Women’s Council of Martyrs’ Families.

There are 14 branches of the council in 14 cities in the Jazira Canton and each of them has a women’s committee. Organizing and educating the spouses, children and mothers of martyrs and implementing various projects for them are some of the activities of the council. In an interview with NuJINHA, Hêvî Seyîd, chair of the Women’s Council of Martyrs’ Families, gave information about the works and activities of the council.

 Meetings for the relatives of martyrs.

The aim of the council is to organize the mothers, sisters, spouses and children of the martyrs, Hêvî Seyîd said, “We hold meetings for the spouses of martyrs once a month, for the mothers, sisters and children of martyrs once every three months. The Economy Committee of the council realizes various projects for the spouses of martyrs. The council opened the Martyr Beşîr School for the children of martyrs. The education for the children of martyrs will start soon. At the school, the children will learn how to read and write and receive education on technology and cinema.”

The children of martyrs are the legacy of the martyrs, Hêvî Seyîd said, adding, “They are our most sacred values. Their mothers and fathers fought so that their children could have a free future, and determine their own future. We work to ensure that the children of martyrs have a free future. Protecting the philosophy of Rêber Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) is protecting the children of martyrs. At our meetings, the children of martyrs tell us that they should follow in the footsteps of their parents.”

‘We vow to realize their dreams’

Hêvî Seyîd also talked about the challenges faced by them while founding the council. “We faced many challenges in the foundation of the council. We overcame all the challenges because we have already vowed to realize the dreams of our martyrs. Leader Apo made great efforts for women. As the mothers of martyrs, we will maintain our lives based on the thoughts and philosophy of Leader Apo.”