Women’s village of Jinwar continue to build a new way of life

Founded four years ago in northern Syria, the women’s village of Jinwar continues to defy the hard conditions in the region caused by war and embargo. In a newsletter, the residents report on their current situation and wish all supporters a good start into the spring months.

The women of Jinwar write: “We have been following the latest news and developments around the coronavirus here. It has spread and its short and long term effects on our lives are still devastating two years on. The actions of the states, the fear mongering and above all the social distancing will leave even deeper consequences, similar to the scars of the war, which has been fought here for years.

At the same time, we see the importance of political and social life, which ensures that we act independently and find solutions for an equal, ecological life in the construction process of a society.

In the course of the isolation and loneliness due to the coronavirus regulations, violence against women and the number of femicides have increased sharply. Mothers in particular suffer when schools or day care centers are closed because they are the main carers of the children and at the same time the first to be laid off work. In addition, in the current situation, women have fewer or no opportunities to move outside the home, exchange ideas, find places to go and organize themselves. At the same time, there is greater pressure to take on traditional roles rather than organizing and co-creating with other women.

In the last two years we have once again seen and felt how important it is to preserve our natural resources and our ecological way of life. This means building healthy relationships between nature and people and between people.

Here in Jinwar – the women’s and children’s village in north-eastern Syria – life goes on. It is important that life goes on and does not stand still. We organize our lives together and continue our work. Even if the conditions have become more difficult and the borders are still closed. The embargo against the Autonomous Administration is in place and the attacks by Turkey and its gangs are taking place nearby. Just two weeks ago we lost 121 people in the self-defense action against the planned prison breakout of ISIS prisoners in Hesekê.

While here as women we do not experience direct violence in our daily lives and have the opportunity to share, deepen our relationships, plan and discuss how we want to live our lives together, we still feel the pain of all women who today are fighting and resisting in many different places around the world.”