From philosophy of women's liberation, drawing their free lives

ARAS YOUSSIF-SLVA MUSTAFA/ALEPPO

Women in the neighborhood of Sheikh Maksoud have been pioneers in the liberation from the masculine and authoritarian mindsets since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. They participated in the protection of the neighborhood and contributed to the building of institutions in addition to the great role they played in the resistance shown by the people of the neighborhood in the face of extremist gangs.

When we listen to the stories of these women and how they have been affected by the events around them and the reasons that led them to break the barriers of fear and freedom, we see how women have strong will and can achieve much, but they are prisoners of the customs and traditions of the backward society.

Shirin Ali is at 39 years one of the hundreds of women in the neighborhood who have come to organize themselves within women's committees and institutions to prove the role of women and to emphasize that women are the basic pillars of building a democratic society.

Shirin Ali begins her conversation by remembering her life before she learnt about the women's liberation ideas; the advocate of women leader of the Kurdish people Abdullah Ocelan, who affirms that women are the leaders of society said "I always thought I was free and independent because I could do what I wanted without being challenged by anyone, and this was the reason for my mistaken belief about the emancipation of women.

"At first, I had difficulty identifying the commune and it was not clear to me what its real role was in the community, but two months later I got to know the commune more deeply and I was able to communicate with many women to encourage them to join to the commune and organize themselves."

She explains that she has instilled the philosophy of Abdullah Ocelan in her mind because she viewed it as fairness to women. "Having realized the essential role that women’s commune play in organizing and demonstrating their abilities, I deepened more in the philosophy of the leader Abdullah Ocelan through the intellectual exercises that we were receiving, I used to recall his ideas in my mind in every step I make.

Maoloda Omar at 42, a member of the Martyr Sosin Commune, explains how routine was invading her life. She lived without realizing anything or feeling a new experience.

Omar added, "I was a very shy woman. My life did not go beyond my home and my neighbors. I was interested in raising my children. But after I joined the commune and met other women, I found out I missed a lot and I confined myself to imaginary limits."

"After I got to know women's commune and communicated with the commune and knew the thought of the leader Abdullah Ocelan through the intellectual lessons that we were receiving, I felt that I had come to another world far from what we knew in our simple everyday life that is almost devoid of any experience or change we have experienced."

(T/S)

ANHA