JINHA

DÊRIK - In the Rojava city of Dêrik, women have founded an Economy Assembly to regain control over their labor and resources.

In the Rojava autonomous region in Syria, women have been organizing themselves in every area of life. Recently, women met to form an Economy Assembly in the city of Dêrik, located in Rojava's eastern Cizîrê Canton.

At the meeting, Delal Efrîn spoke on behalf of the women's organization Yekîtiya Star. She explained that patriarchy's founding step was the exclusion of women from the economic sphere.

"This was where women's willpower was first attacked," said Delal. "Women's labor was seized. That was how [the patriarchy] developed its sovereignty. Today, even through women make up the foundation of society's economy, they are totally excluded from and neglected in this area." She explained that the women's Economy Assembly aims to change this situation in Rojava.

"We're in the land of Neolithic culture, of the agrarian revolution--a land with rich underground resources," said Delal. "For decades, the Ba'ath regime refused to let the people benefit from these resources. Now it's time for the people of this regime to benefit from the resources above and below the ground." Delal called for a communal economy led by women to take the role of a private economy.

Dicle Hemo, co-mayor of the city of Dêrik, also spoke at the meeting. She called for the communalization of land, water and energy in the region. The meeting ended with the election of 15 members for the new assembly. The women promised to fight for a communal economy of women.

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