Zêrîn Kurtay - Perwîn Xelîl /JINHA

SHENGAL – Êzidî women who have fled Daesh attacks to live on Mount Shengal are preparing for a conference to plan women’s projects for the encampment.

After Daesh attacked the city of Shengal in August, Êzidîs fled the genocidal and femicidal attack in all directions. Many took refuge on the harsh slopes of Mount Shengal, where tens of thousands now live in a camp. Women here, less than a year ago fleeing for their lives from Daesh’s attempt to enslave and rape them, are now preparing to a conference to discuss how to increase their capacities in the camp.

“Êzidî women are saying they need to develop their self-defense, because no one is going to defend them,” said Hewlêr Kobanê, who is part of the executive body of the Êzidî political party TEVDA. “And young women of Shengal are saying they won’t be imprisoned in the home, they don’t belong to men and they can defend themselves.”

Women on the mountain have been undertaking educational projects to develop their capabilities. Those who are young and able have been joining the YPJ Shengal, which alongside the men’s wing the YBŞ takes part in the defense of the mountain.

“Shengal mothers are telling their children, ‘if you leave your lands, we won’t forgive you,’” said Hewlêr, “and their children are going and joining the YPJ and YBŞ.”

Although Daesh attempted to displace and destroy the Shengal community, Hewlêr says that Shengal women are in pain, but “through this pain, they’ve come to know themselves.”

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