ŞevinŞervan/ JINHA

DÊRIK - In the Rojava city of Dêrik, the life of HusniyeÎsmaîlBehrem demonstrates the many ways that women have built the Rojava revolution.

The labor of people of all ages continues to build the Rojava revolution.HusniyeÎsmaîlBehrem's life story is one of such labor. After Husniye lost her husband and closest comrade 11 years ago in the uprising against the Assad regime, she has continued her struggle.

Husniye's husband, AhmetHuseyin, was known among the people of Rojava as BavêCudî--Father Cudî. Husniye remembers him as someone who spent every day active in the struggle, despite the difficulties and repressive environment. BavêCudî was among the founders of the PYD, the party currently leading the Rojava revolution.11 years ago, he was arrested and taken to the city of Qamişlo. Husniye did not hear from him for six days. On the seventh, she learned he had been killed.

"There were signs of beatings and whipping on his body. They broke his nose and pulled out his fingernails," recalled Husniye. When she and her comrades from the PYD tried to retrieve the body, the regime refused to hand it over. They set up a tent to mourn him, but regime forces were stationed outside the tent for a week. When the condolence period was over, the regime forces took Husniye in for interrogation, as they did every year at the commemoration ceremony at BavêCudî's grave--until the revolution.

After the Rojava revolution began, Husniye and her four children moved to the city of Dêrik to take part in revolutionary activities. Now, Husniye helps fighters wounded in the defense of the revolution.

"It's been three years now that I'm helping the wounded comrades; when I spend a day without them, I miss them," said Husniye. Husniye said that since her husband was killed by regime forces, she has been dedicated to continuing the struggle.

Reflecting on how conditions have changed for women since the revolution, Husniye recalled a day when she, BavêCudî and a neighbor of theirs (a woman) went to an organizing meeting.

"The meeting went late and we got home late. My friend wanted us to come to the house with her. I asked why. She said, 'You leave your children and go work; since your husband is active too, he doesn't say anything. But I'll have trouble with my husband because I'm late,'" said Husniye. Husniye and her husband spoke with the man about his attitude, but the inequalities continued. Since the Rojava revolution, women have not had the same problem.

"Now, women can work everywhere without being afraid," said Husniye.

(şg/fk/cm)