As the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria celebrated its 12th year, the role of women in both the revolution and governance once again came to the fore. Adalet Omer, head of the Women’s Council of the Autonomous Administration, spoke to ANF about the pioneering role of women in social and political life, stating that women were decisive in the success of the struggle against ISIS. Omer said that the Rojava Women’s Revolution carries not only regional but also universal significance, calling on women around the world to embrace the project.
Omer started her remarks by commemorating all the martyrs and congratulated the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the People’s Defense Units (YPG), and the peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria, then drew attention to the role of women in building and expanding the Autonomous Administration system and said: “In Middle Eastern societies, women have been deprived of their rights in every field. Women were pushed into the background and distanced from their own reality. Although women had been the fundamental force of society for thousands of years, different ideologies separated them from this reality. Women were seen merely as property, serving household chores, men, and children, and were subjected to many pressures under the name of religion and tradition. The ruptures that women experienced throughout history show us that women’s position in society was never determined in line with their true reality.
For this reason, women have never been fully recognized either socially or legally in history, and they have been deprived of their rights in every sphere, from life to politics. The peoples of North and East Syria recognized the truth of existing systems and therefore adopted the third line. After the spring of the peoples in the Middle East, the people of North and East Syria played a different role under the leadership of women. The revolution here was different from those in other parts of Syria, because the revolutions there were stripped of their essence, dragged into chaos, and turned into tools serving the interests of regional states and hegemonic powers. But in North and East Syria, this did not happen, because the people knew who represented which side.
Therefore, in Northern and Eastern Syria, the third line was adopted. A struggle was carried out on the basis of being stateless, of building and governing a system with one’s own power; institutions and structures were built on this foundation. The Autonomous Administration project of North and East Syria is different from the projects imposed in the Middle East. Imposed projects such as the nation-state model did not fit the social reality and history of the peoples. The system imposed on the region through the Sykes-Picot Agreement, led by Britain, has confronted societies every day with war, conflict, sectarianism, and nationalism. Yet the Middle East needs democratic projects.”
The most glorious revolutions have taken place under women’s leadership
Adalet Omer underlined that the Autonomous Administration embraces all faiths and cultures, and she continued: “The Autonomous Administration is a system where everyone finds themselves through their language, identity, culture, faith, and nation. For this reason, everyone saw themselves in this project, and rapid progress was achieved. One of the reasons for the collapse of the Baath regime was that it did not recognize the languages, cultures, and faiths of the peoples of Syria. Even though many things were written in the constitution, the people had no rights. No matter how long such systems last, they are doomed to collapse in the end.
The new government is even worse than the previous one. The Autonomous Administration system is not just an idea or a theory; because of the experiences lived, the people see this administration as a hope. Existing systems deepen problems further with each passing day.
The Autonomous Administration was founded 10 years ago in Jazira (Cizîr), Kobanê, and Afrin (Efrîn), and from 2018 it was declared in Raqqa, Tabqa, Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor), and Manbij (Minbic). One of the main reasons this administration has survived until today is the leadership role of women in the system. Throughout history, the most glorious revolutions have taken place under women’s leadership. However, in many cases, once revolutions succeeded, women were excluded from the struggle and their contributions ignored. For this reason, they were never able to fully reach the goals they fought for.
In Northern and Eastern Syria, however, women have organized themselves in every field since the beginning of the revolution, founded their own institutions, and even created self-organized structures in the military field. Today the YPJ are an example worldwide. Against mentalities that claim women cannot work in politics or in the field of justice, the strongest answer has been the organized presence of women.”
It was women who defeated ISIS
Omer stressed that women fought with great courage at a time when no one could stand against ISIS, and she continued: “It was women who defeated ISIS. Today, they want to impose old roles on women. Yet when more than half of Syria’s population is women, why should women’s representation be so low? Women’s resistance and struggle were to win their own rights. For this reason, it is not acceptable that women’s representation in Syria is limited to 25–30 percent.
In Northern and Eastern Syria, the co-chair system has been implemented from communes to people’s assemblies. Women signed the social contract and equality was ensured in all institutions. This is proof that women’s reality and women’s consciousness are recognized.
The Turkish state is waging war against the Autonomous Administration project in North and East Syria. Yet women, despite all the attacks, continue to struggle and defend their rights. For this reason, the Autonomous Administration has survived and gained a universal dimension. Now the world wants to recognize this revolution, because despite all the attacks, the people continue to organize and govern themselves.
Our cause as women is not national or regional, but universal. Rights gained in one place are victories for all women. Women must organize globally, because our problems are shared. Anyone who wants to destroy a society begins by targeting women. For a free and dignified life, it is essential to establish a democratic system in which women can see themselves. Women’s organizing in the Middle East and Syria is opening this path. Women of the world must also embrace the rights gained in North and East Syria and carry these achievements forward, because our victories are the victories of all women.”