KEWSER EL- JASÊM

Deir ez-Zor- The Young Women’s Union of North and East Syria has opened vocational and art courses for women and girls in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria. The courses opened on May 8 in the village of Al-Sa'wa, western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, will last a month. More than 40 women have attended the computer course.

 Suha Al-Saeed, a member of the Young Women’s Union told NuJINHA that they have launched a campaign with the slogan, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” and they have provided vocational and art courses to women and girls as part of the campaign.

“The city of Deir ez-Zor was once under the control of armed factions such as ISIS and Al-Nusra Front. After the city was liberated from these armed factions, we decided to provide courses to women and girls in order to raise awareness of the public and activate the roles of women in society. Before the foundation of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, the city was controlled by the patriarchal mentality but now we can say that this mentality has been broken,” Suha Al-Saeed said that they opened the courses because women, especially young women, wanted to improve themselves.

 ‘We have started taking our rights’

 Susan Najm, a woman attending the first aid course, told us that she wants to be a healthcare worker. “I have been taking first aid and computer courses. Now, I can say that I can help anyone suffering from a health problem. I have learned how to give an injection, stitch a wound and measure blood pressure. In the computer course, we have learned the methods of using different computer programs. These courses allow women to participate in the labor force. Thanks to these courses, we, as women, have started taking our rights. I hope more courses will be opened for women and girls.”