Perwîn Xelîl/JINHA

QAMÎŞLO– 385 women's communes have been formed in the Rojava canton of Cizîrê since the beginning of the revolution. Canton Yekîtîya Star president Welida Botî says women's self-organizing is continuing.

"Life in communes is a meaningful life," said Welida, who explained that the women's organization Yekîtiya Star has led a drive to organize women into communes in Cizîrê Canton since the beginning of the Rojava revolution. The people of the canton have organized themselves into both general and women-specific communes. There are currently 385 women's communes in Cizîrê Canton.

In the general communes, members implement a co-chair system, in which one male and one female leader share leadership responsibilities, to ensure that women take part in all activities. In women's communes, a rotating speaker and two assistants lead.

"The difference between the two communes is that women's communes look at women's problems specifically," she said. "We want to escape from the traditional social pressure that women fall victim to; there's a project of consciousness-raising between women."

In women-specific communes, membersare elected by members of their neighborhood. Five committees in the communes focus on education, health, self-defense, economy and reconciliation, respectively. Every committee works autonomously.

"This is what we have to say to women: if the communes are run well, if we fulfill our duties, it will be a victory for women," she said.

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