Journalist Stêrk Gulo, who has worked for many years in Syria and Northern and Eastern Syria, spoke to the ANF about the situation of women across the country in the first year of HTS rule.
The first part of this interview can be read here.
Women must have a sense of self-defense
Stêrk Gulo continued as follows: “Today, the existence of societies makes it possible to build systems. Society builds its own system. We have seen this concretely over the past 13 years in Northern and Eastern Syria. If any country had been subjected to attacks as heavy and comprehensive as those faced by Northern and Eastern Syria, it would most likely have collapsed. When the Baath regime fell, everyone thought that Northern and Eastern Syria would also collapse and that major wars would break out. But this did not happen. Of course, very serious hardships were experienced. Thousands of women were forced to migrate, and today a significant number of these women have resettled in Northern and Eastern Syria.
While massacres against women were taking place in countries such as Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan, women in Northern and Eastern Syria were able to lead relatively safe lives. One of the main reasons for this is that women have a sense of self-defense. Especially the solidarity developed over the course of this year once again showed how vital this resistance is. In fact, what enabled women to survive in Northern and Eastern Syria was this spirit. This existence made it possible for women to organize themselves through communes. Women are social by nature; they represent the spirit of socialism and embody an opposition to centralism. The existence of women carries this character.”
Gulo also said: “For this reason, during the March 10 Agreement and in the agreements reached with the negotiation delegation that held talks with Damascus afterward, one of the fundamental conditions of the YPJ was to be able to take part in the process as a brigade. Indeed, one of the YPJ’s general commanders, Rohilat Afrin, also expressed this, stating that the YPJ would be organized as an independent brigade across Syria. Today, there is no example of this anywhere in the world. Women may take part in many armies, but they are generally under male control and lack an autonomous structure. From a historical perspective, this represents a beginning and an important example.
At the same time, the construction of communes, which are the cells of a democratic society, was also carried out. Within this framework, women developed many forms of work and action. Starting from the communes, a broad organizational network was built, extending to women’s movements that encompass various parties and institutions across Syria. Many movements, such as the Syrian Women’s Movement and the Syria’s Future Party, were established both to struggle against the patriarchal system and to represent the political will of all women.”
Women demand the physical freedom of Öcalan
Stêrk Gulo stated that One of the most important developments that marked this year was Kurdish women’s demand for national unity and said: “In this context, a highly significant conference was held. Women’s unity played a critical role in protecting the rights of Kurdish women in Northern and Eastern Syria and in strengthening their collective will. This work is still ongoing and continues to be one of the main pillars of women’s protection and the struggle for freedom.
Women from many different communities, including Arab, Armenian, Chaldean, Syriac, and Kurdish women, voiced above all the demand for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. Today, a similar impact can be seen among Alawite and Druze women as well. Many women who were forcibly displaced to Northern and Eastern Syria are now taking part in various institutions, working, and finding spaces where they can express themselves.
One of the most important steps taken in women’s struggle in 2025 was women’s education. In the work carried out under the leadership of Kongra Star, around 30 percent of those included in the training were men. Men were also educated under women’s leadership.
Throughout the year, intense efforts were made in Damascus to introduce legal regulations that directly affect women’s lives, from clothing to everyday life. No serious social reaction developed against these initiatives. As a result, a general atmosphere of solidarity emerged around the idea that women are free and should be able to move freely. Of course, this struggle is still ongoing.
Another important development in Northern and Eastern Syria was the preparation of a Women’s Constitution based on a social contract, led by women. This work can serve as an example not only for Northern and Eastern Syria but for all of Syria. It is possible for Syria to move forward on this basis; true liberation lies here.”
Gulo also added: “Pioneering movements such as Kongra Star, the YPJ, the Syria’s Future Party, and the Syrian Women’s Movement are struggling for a decentralized and democratic Syria. This struggle is not only for Northern and Eastern Syria, but for the construction of a system in which women across all of Syria will be represented.
For this reason, talks with Damascus are continuing, and women have strong representation in these negotiations. One of the most fundamental conditions for women to protect their rights is their ability to establish their own autonomous organizations. A great struggle is being waged for this.
As we approach 2026, we have seen that the field of journalism has also become an important arena of struggle and that women have shown great resistance in this field. We respectfully commemorate all our fallen comrades, especially our comrade Cihan Bilgin.
In 2026, our responsibility is to become a foundation, a voice, and a color that reflects the color, voice, and resistance that women bring to Northern and Eastern Syria and to all of Syria. I believe that the struggle waged by women for the construction of a democratic and free Syria will continue. Just as the Tishrin Resistance emerged through revolutionary people’s war, 2026 will be a year of great struggle for the construction of a democratic society through democratic struggle.”