BEYDA OSMAN

Kobanê – Women, who ensure their independent economy by participating in the labor forces in North and East Syria, achieve significant success. 30-year-old Xanim Elî is one of these women. She calls on women to attend training courses so that they can support economic development. Having a tailor shop in the Kobanê Canton, Xanim Elî has worked as a tailor for six years.
“I wouldn't be successful if I didn't love my job. I always work hard to improve myself in tailoring. I sew dresses and shirts and embroider designs on them. I love tailoring despite all the challenges I face,” she told NuJINHA.

 ‘We suffer from power outages’

One of the challenges faced by Xanim Elî is power outages. “I work with my sister’s daughter at the tailor shop. When we have electricity, we sew 12 shirts a day. However, Turkish cutoff of Euphrates River water causes power outages and this affects us. We are tailors and when there is no electricity, we cannot work.” Xanim Elî starts working at 8 in the morning and works until seven in the evening. She also complains about the high prices of materials.

‘I want to teach women how to sew’

Xanim Elî wants to teach women how to sew in order to promote women’s economic empowerment. In her speech, she said, “I want to teach all women, who want to learn how to sew. I want to teach women what I have learned until now. I do not want any woman to be unemployed. Women, who want to work, should attend training courses in order to ensure their independent economy.”