This article by Sorgul Şêxo first appeared on Gazete Şûjin , 18th July, 2017. It has been edited here to improve readability.

TIL TEMIR – In Rojava, historical developments in military, political and social areas are taking place. In Rojava, where a new life is being built led by women, communes are being formed in which all peoples take part.

Life is reactivating in Rojava on the basis of a democratic nation. This takes place as the result of resistance and a struggle beyond comparison. The women, who are resisting with the motto, “The Rojava revolution is a women’s revolution”, are building a new way of life. Just as the women lead in every sphere of life, including fighting on the fronts, so they have been forming communes since the beginning of the revolution.

What is a commune?

A commune is the smallest cell of the autonomous system and it reveals an organised power. The foundation of the Northern Syria Democratic Federal System is the commune. All peoples living in Northern Syria directly take part in communes. Equal representation is fundamental for the commune system. Members of the communes organise themselves in every sphere of life and they create resources to meet society’s needs. They solve social problems by organising meetings and making decisions together.

The communes’ working methods

The communes’ members are also involved in progressing in areas such as social economy, education, politics and defence. The members never make decisions alone in the communal system. A meeting is organised to make an equal decision. Regular meetings are held once a week or every 15 days. During these meetings, people discuss how to solve problems, the current situation and how to develop the communes.

People from each community take part in communes

All peoples from all religions and beliefs can take part in the communes in their own way. The communes organise autonomously and empower themselves. The communes are comprised of people from every community. The communes never take their problems to the states. All members are equal for the communes and they protect their members. Nobody can act against the decisions taken by the communes.

Equality is important for communes

Communes are formed in each village or neighbourhood. Equality is important for the communes. The rights of women and men are specified as equal in communes. When a decision is taken about the women, a meeting with the participation of female members is organised. The co-chairs of the communes discuss the decisions together and develop a solution together.

Characteristics of women’s communes

Women’s communes are formed specifically for and by women’s empowerment. Only women perform the communes’ activities. Women carry out the meetings and educational activities together and they make decisions together. Since women are the primary force in the revolution, every woman is responsible for the commune in their village.

Introduction of committees in the communes

There are many complementary and accelerating committees in each commune to form an equal and democratic society. These committees have taken many steps by playing a positive role in the communes’ work until now. Every member can take part in the committees. Each commune is comprised of six committees. These committees are the defence committee, the education committee, the economic committee, the health committee and the compromise committee.

Defence Committee

The defence committee chooses its members to protect the village and the neighbourhood. The chosen members take weapon training to protect their people and themselves. The members are patrolling every night and the commune members are always ready against a possible attack.

Compromise Committee

The compromise committee works to solve social problems in a peaceful way and to protect the social peace.

Health Committee

The health committee works to solve health problems, particularly in places where there isn’t a hospital or health centre. The committee members help the patients and they have health education.

Education Committee

Education is so important for a society. There is no doubt that education is needed to break the 5,000-year-old masculine mindset in the society. The members of the Education Committee determine the time for education and all members of the committee attend this education.

Economic Committee

The Economic Committee is responsible for vital needs such as providing electricity, water and bread. The members have to meet the vital needs. This committee performs its work quickly.

Gulîxan Tahir, from Kongra Star [Kongreya Star], commented on the communes and said: “If there weren’t any communes, the communal spirit couldn’t develop and society would fall apart. The communes have existed since the beginning of mankind. There is an organised power when everywhere has a commune. Each committee is autonomous and this shows the commune system has equal and successful work. The foundation of the federal system is laid in the communes. Many people from different nations live together under the communes. The federal system is ensured by the communes.”

‘The communes have collective spirit’

Newroz Şêxmûs, Co-chair of Viyan Cûdî Commune, said, “There are many committees in the communes. Each committee is autonomous, but together they form a whole. All work is carried out collectively. The first thing to do in the liberated regions is to form a commune and assembly.”