The women鈥檚 cooperative village of Jinwar was opened on November 25, 2017, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in the liberated Democratic Autonomous Administration of northern and eastern Syria (Rojava).
It was established by a Kurdish women's umbrella organisation, now known as Kongreya Star, as a refuge for women fleeing war and patriarchy.
Jinwar was built by women on ecologically sustainable principles and has been such a success, that the international women's magazine hailed it as a 鈥渇eminist experiment in democratic communal living that鈥檚 happening in one of the most socially conservative regions in the world.
鈥淚n Jinwar, there is no central power figure; instead, there is a democratically-elected town council, and every month a different council member acts as the town鈥檚 leader. Men are allowed to visit only during specific hours, and they鈥檙e not allowed to stay overnight. Women of different religions and ethnicities live together in mud brick homes they built themselves, eat food they grow themselves, and teach each other English. There is a bakery and a store, where the women can sell handicrafts they make to people from other villages.鈥
However, since Turkey launched its invasion of Rojava on October 9, the sounds of war have become dangerously close and Jinwar is under serious threat.
鈥淯ntil now, dozens of women and children have been staying in Jinwar, and sharing their bread, food and water here with each other,鈥 explained a by the Council of Jinwar. 鈥淭he inhabitants of Jinwar are deeply connected with each other and their village. The life in the village has become an example for their friends and neighbours.鈥
鈥淏ut as the whole region is under the threat of an occupation war, the life of women, children and the existence of Jinwar are also at risk.
鈥淭he sounds of Turkish warplanes, tanks and bombs are very close. The women and children of Jinwar who had already suffered different painful life experiences found in Jinwar for the first time a peaceful and secure place. But now they have to face once again the fear of war and death.
鈥淭hese conditions made it necessary that some children and women with health problems or special needs had to move to other places. They are waiting for the end of the war to return to their friends in their village.鈥
The women who have remained in Jinwar continue working their gardens and carrying on their usual activities, under difficult conditions.
At the same time, the women have been supporting victims of the war, visiting the ill and wounded, attending funerals of civilians and liberation fighters martyred in the resistance to the invasion and joining protests against the war.
Feeling a strong sense of social responsibility, the women have also visited surrounding villages to assist with the healthcare of women and children.
In this difficult time, the Jinwar village has issued a for international support.
鈥淢ost important is to rise up and organise against this devastating occupation of the Turkish State and support Democratic Autonomous Administration in northern and eastern Syria in all levels.
鈥淧reviously our village flourished and developed day by day. We can be really proud to see that with common effort, organisation and daily work, so much has been built and achieved already.
鈥淏efore the war started, we were about to open a new healing centre in Jinwar and many reconstruction and maintenance work was done.
鈥淲e need material support and have created an account in Europe for this purpose, where you can donate.鈥
To donate by international transfer:
IBAN: IT41Z3608105138238386938398
BIC: PPAYITR1XXX
To make a donation, email: solidarity.jinwar@gmail.com