The women of Deir ez-Zor who lost all their rights and were isolated from society as they were trapped in homes more and more during the ISIS invasion of the city have started to take on a leading role in all areas after the region was liberated.
Women have led production in the region throughout history, especially agricultural production, and are now strengthening the economy of the region through the cooperatives.
The Al-Jazarat Women’s Assembly has most recently established a bakery cooperative. The bakery has 5 women working in it and produces 3 tonnes of bread every day. The bread the women produce can be sold at a lower price, and the women share the profits equally among themselves.
Rawda Al-Awad said they work with a collective spirit: “ISIS gangs would cause disruptions among the people during their occupation. But since the region was liberated, now we lead production with the spirit of a common life.”
Rawda added that the Women’s Assembly continues to work so women of the region can achieve their leading role in society, and that the bakery they opened has created working opportunities for women.