Dear friends,
In a wide range of statements and interviews, women and women’s organisations – particularly on social media and in the press – continue to emphasise that building a democratic Syria is impossible without women’s equal participation in decision-making processes and in shaping the country’s future. The demand for recognition of the Women’s Defence Units (YPJ) remains on the agenda of the women’s movement, as does the strengthening of women’s organisations and the joint struggle in all areas of life, for these are the most effective guarantee for safeguarding the achievements of the women’s revolution and defending women’s rights.
Syrian women appeal to the international community
Women’s organisations are also using the visit of António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, to Syria to express their perspectives and demands to the international community.
During a meeting with 18 women’s organisations, including a representative of the Kurdish women’s movement ‘Kongra Star’, statements were presented on the situation of women, the economy, the justice system and the protection of the rights of the Kurdish people, whilst attention was drawn to the attacks and human rights violations against the people of Sheikh Maqsud, in the coastal region and in Suwaida. At the same time, the importance of women’s participation in political decision-making processes and in the transitional government in Damascus was emphasised.
Integration of the University of Rojava
In recent days, several discussions have taken place regarding the integration of the University of Rojava into the higher education system of Al-Hasaka. This forms part of a broader process aimed at integrating and linking academic institutions to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. With the aim of ensuring the continuity of education for the population, all parties involved are committed to ensuring that the integration takes place through carefully planned academic and legal steps, and that the rights of students and academic staff are protected. However, proposals to rename the university ‘Roj University’ – and, in particular, the insistence on restructuring the curriculum to be taught in Arabic and English rather than, as today, in Kurdish – are fuelling personal fears about the future among both teaching staff and students, as well as concerns that one of the revolution’s most important achievements – basic and further education in the mother tongue – is being endangered.
“Women can succeed as long as they show perseverance and determination.”
This applies not only on a broader scale, when we speak of the struggle against patriarchy and for women’s liberation, but also in every small struggle that women must wage daily for their self-determination and dreams. This is a quote from Sarah Jagami, a young woman from Suweyda who has been living out her passion for football since 2023 as part of the women’s team at the Al-Suwayda Workers’ Club. For years, football was considered a male-dominated sport in Syria too, and women were scarcely to be seen in sports stadiums. Yet the changes of recent years have opened the door for young women. Not only in Rojava but also in Suweyda, there are women’s football teams in almost every town. The players of the Al-Suwayda Workers Club are currently attracting particular attention. They have made the leap into the stadium and are taking part in official tournaments – including the West Asian Championship. Despite the war, mobility issues and academic pressures, they are role models for women who want to break free from old patterns and shape their own sporting futures. Due to the security situation and the war, many young women were denied access to education and, consequently, the opportunity to develop their own personalities and achieve their dreams. Through sport, they have fought to secure these opportunities for themselves.
Conference of Filmmakers in Rojava
The first Cinema Conference took place in Qamishlo from 24 to 26 July. The conference was attended by numerous filmmakers, actors, cameramen and activists from the film community, who discussed the current state of cinema in Rojava and strategies for its further development. Many of the activists are women. They teach or study at the Women’s College of Art and Culture in Heseke, or, like the women of ‘Sine Jin’, are actively involved in film production, working as directors, writing screenplays, acting and composing music. They are involved in developing a film culture in Rojava that, in contrast to the globally patriarchal film industry, is in alignment with the values of free women and stands for democracy, diversity and truth. And they want to produce films that centre on women’s stories and address the issues faced by women.
With this, we send revolutionary greetings from Rojava
