Women celebrate for first time International Women's Day

A number of Deir Ezzor women celebrate for the first time the 8th of March, expressing their happiness to participate in the activities, saying that ISIS abolished the woman and the 8th of March together, while the ruling authorities of Syria prevented them from even celebrating her International Day.

March 8th

3 March, 2021 01:42

Qamishlo - Silava Abdul Rahman

Deir Ezzor witnessed a black era under the ISIS mercenaries, as the mercenaries imposed a set of measures on the families and women.

Females were forced to wear the niqab, and they are prohibited from going out or traveling without a mahram, provided that anyone who violates physical harm, such as beatings with the whip and stoning, will be punished, and a fine is imposed.

Deir Ezzor was reborn after the Campaign (Al-Jazira Storm) led by the Syrian Democratic Forces on September 9, 2017 against ISIS mercenaries.

The campaign continued until March 23, 2019, when the SDF announced the elimination of ISIS geographically in its last enclave in Iraq and Syria (Al-Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor), with a great contribution by women.

This was followed by the establishment of a civil administration, and representing a large number of women in its institutions and committees, after they had been enslaved by the ISIS.

The women neither knew their rights nor know about International Women's Day after they got acquainted with the feminist movements that were formed in Deir Ezzor after the liberation.

In this context, ANHA agency held interviews with members of the Syrian Women's Council, about the eighth of March.

'Women did not exist under ISIS

A member of the Syrian Women's Council in Hajin, Hoda Al Aswad, in an interview with our agency, congratulated the women on the eighth of March.

She said: "I urge all women, especially women to demand their rights, after the authoritarian regimes and ISIS mercenaries robbed them of their rights, and imposed humiliation and submission on them."

She added, "The woman was not present under ISIS?

She pointed out that "after the liberation of Hajin from ISIS mercenaries at the hands of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the People's Protection Units and Women early 2019, and after four years of injustice, the sun of freedom shone on Deir Ezzor."

'Untold happiness'

Hoda Al-Aswad noted that the participation of women in the front lines constituted for women in Deir Ezzor, determination to rise up against the injustice, as they were involved in women's civil and military institutions.

Regarding the assassinations of women in Deir Ezzor, Al-Aswad said: "It is to silence the voice of freedom, and our message in this regard is thousands of voices denouncing your violence and your persecution of free women will be released."

She expressed her happiness to participate in the activities of the 8th of March, and stated: "It is an indescribable happiness." At the end, she referred to the events on this occasion in Hajin, and said: “The town’s administrators have set up a program to introduce International Women's Day by holding lectures in all Councils and military forces, organizing marches, setting up heritage tents, and decorating the city to celebrate this day.

'Facing challenges'

For her part, a member of the Syrian Women’s Council, Fatima Al-Salem, saluted the efforts of women to express themselves, and said: “Despite wars, persecution, outdated customs and traditions, women participate in the 8th of March with joy and pleasure. "

Al-Salem congratulated every woman who has shaken off the dust of slavery and fought the outdated customs and traditions that ISIS mercenaries established in the region, on International Women's Day, and went on likening women to jasmine, saying: "If withered, her scent remains fragrant."

'Rebirth'

She pointed out that the liberation of Deir ez-Zor, and women in particular, from ISIS, was a new birth for the areas woman who suffered woes under the mercenaries.

Al-Salem continued, that after the liberation, life and great hope rekindled in the souls of the people of Deir Ezzor and women.

"We did not expect, after years of violence, persecution and injustice, that the sun of freedom would rise again, but after liberation we were sure that freedom was tangible."

She added, "After the liberation, women became involved in all political, military and social fields, thanks to the women's organizations that sought to restore life to the region after destruction, and were able to communicate with women."

"This year, women who have not participated in the activities of the 8th of March before, due to pressure from ISIS mercenaries, and the ruling authorities of Syria, will participate," she said.

Al-Salem drew attention to ISIS's treatment of women, saying: “they canceled the woman and March 8th together, they buried her alive.”

'new horizons for Arab women'

She expressed her joy at participating in International Women's Day, and stated that their participation in the events of this day, inspires them for a life they deserve.

She noted that they have obtained their usurped rights, and no longer accept to live between four walls, but rather demand the rights of all women.

Al-Salem noted that "the July 19 Revolution opened horizons for women, including Arab women, and contributed to establishing their role in the Arab society."

She also denounced the brutal attacks against women by the mercenary groups from ISIS and others supported by the Turkish state, and called on women to stand up to the enemies of humanity and to remain steadfast and invincible.

She concluded by saying, "Whatever happens, they will not be able to discourage the woman from continuing her path."

(A)

ANHA