Zerîn Kurtay - Roksana Efrîn/JINHA

QAMIŞLO - Women in the Rojava autonomous region of Syria are learning to defend themselves against attacks. In the city of Qamişlo, women are debating the meaning and practice of self-defense.

While women continue to lead the revolution in Rojava, ongoing since the region's declaration of autonomy in 2011, the threat of attacks from the outside is ever-present. In the neighborhood of Xerbî, in the city of Qamişlo, 20 women have started self-defense training to protect themselves against attacks. In addition to learning to use weapons, the women are debating the meaning and significance of women's self-defense.

"After what happened to our people in Kobanê, Shengal and Hassakeh, we need to educate ourselves in every way," said Emîne Hesen, one of the women in the class, referring to Daesh massacres over the past year. "The [Daesh] gang members focus their attacks on women and children. We need to be able to defend ourselves and those around us in extraordinary situations."

Emîne referred to famous Kurdish women guerrillas, saying: "we want to walk in the footsteps of the Beritans and Zekiyes."

"When we learn to defend ourselves, our own strength and self-confidence will increase," said Meryem Misetfa, another class member. She sees the classes as a way to start women's participation in the educational programs for women ongoing since the Rojava revolution. "I hope that the women who stay at home and stay away from education will apply to join this program. They need to learn to defend themselves, too."

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