SaryaGözüoğlu /JINHA

AMED – With the conference to plan the reconstruction of Kobanê ongoing in the main Kurdish city of Amed today, FeyziyeAbdi of the canton's Law and Justice assembly says that women will lead the reconstruction.

"What we mean by 'construction' isn't just putting up walls," she said. "Women in Rojava are struggling for a new world."

Since the liberation of the Kobanê city center from Daesh occupation in January, the people of Kobanê have been working to rebuild the city, which has been entirely destroyed by mortars and bombs. Canton co-president EnverMüslim proposed the current conference, taking place in Amed, to bring together delegates from all four parts of Kurdistan to discuss how to coordinate the city's reconstruction. YPG and YPJ fighters have called for a large area of the city to be turned into a museum to the resistance, with the rest of the city being rebuilt. Logistical issues include the fact that Turkey has long unilaterally closed its border with the canton, making it difficult for experts and materials to get through.

"Women have participated with immense effort both in war and in the construction of autonomy, in the founding of institutions," said Feyziye, who co-chairs the committee.She noted that Rojava women's role in the resistance has never been in name only—women "had the same training, used the same weapons, held the same positions."Now Rojava women, building on the legacy of these YPJ fighters, have ensured that they have a large presence at the conference.

"I'm sure that women will bring a strong debate to the conference," she said, "and take on whatever responsibilities emerge from it."

(mc/fk/cm)