Kongreya Star delegation visits South Kurdistan

A delegation of the northern Syrian women’s association Kongreya Star visited South Kurdistan and spoke with various women’s organisations. The aim is to make the voice of the women of Northeast Syria heard in South Kurdistan despite the embargo.

Silava Silêman is the representative of Kongreya Star in South Kurdistan and spoke about the visit in an interview with ANHA.

Kongreya Star has been in diplomatic contact with various women’s movements for a while. There are visits at regional and international levels. Could you please explain the discussions during the visits?

The Democratic Relations and Reconciliation Committee is one of the committees of Kongreya Star. Our association was founded in 2013. The work of the committee is based on building relationships with women’s organisations, politicians, NGOs and organisations that stand for freedom and democracy. The aim is to highlight the different colours of the women’s revolution in Rojava and Northeast Syria. The women’s struggle has been strengthened by the active role played by women in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, by the application of the co-presidency system and by the organisation of women in all decision-making areas and in the political and social system. In addition to the important participation in the political, diplomatic and military fields, the percentage of women in the entire administration is over 50 per cent.

Many women from all over the world were involved in the revolution led by the YPJ and the many women’s organisations in Rojava. They wanted to take this experience back to their home countries. Kongreya Star is also trying to strengthen internal relations so that we can reach out to all women in Syria and regionally in the Middle East. Thanks to this extensive experience, it is possible to manage society and build a democratic system in the Middle East. In this way, changes can be achieved in the common struggle and all reactionary beliefs can be overcome.

The meetings also take place on this basis. The protection of the environment and the protection of women’s freedom, especially in relation to sexuality, were the main topics of our discussions. On the other hand, it is our duty to document the crimes against women in the areas occupied by the Turkish state and everywhere else. In addition, we have sent relevant documents to interested parties in order to increase the pressure on the international community to hold the perpetrators accountable. In this way we want to limit crimes against women in our regions.

You have visited women’s organisations in South Kurdistan. Do you have an assessment of the general situation of women and their achievements there?

The situation of women is the same everywhere because the mentality that is directed against women is also the same. For this reason, it is important to build cooperation. Therefore, we actively participate in campaigns against violence against women and actively work together with women’s institutions in the South to curb patriarchal violence. In addition to participating in various women’s campaigns in support of the Rojava revolution, numerous delegation visits from South Kurdistan have been made to Rojava.

What results have these meetings had?

It is our commitment to strengthen the women’s freedom struggle and to ensure continuity of cooperation. Most recently, we met with various women’s organisations in South Kurdistan. We are all working to win our rights, strengthen our relations, create opportunities, secure achievements and ensure that women stand against all forms of oppression. It is about organising women in society, fighting all violence against women and emphasising the importance of women’s participation in all decision-making processes. The women of Rojava have fought against ISIS. We fight against all toxic ideas that deprive women of their rights. Our goal today is to strengthen relations between Kurdish women and the women of the world on a global and regional level, so that we can speak with one voice and pursue a common goal.