The Women’s Revolution in Rojava has for more than 10 years brought forward women in Northern and Eastern Syria who dedicate their lives to helping and supporting women in their daily lives in the face of all forms of hardship and threat.

Mala Jin is one of these organizations that not only helps and supports them, but also actively works for women and society to live freely.

A booklet, prepared by Kongra Star, provides a better insight into Mala Jin and to recognize the work and commitment of these women.

The political system of the Autonomous Administration

The political system in the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria (AANES) overall is based on 4 pillars: gender equality, self-defense, cultural and religious diversity, and social ecology. These elements are interconnected, meaning that one cannot be achieved without the other. Gender equality is understood to be intrinsically linked to the 3 other pillars.

In order to put these principles into practice, many structures have been set up in the AANES in order to fight patriarchal behavior in society. One of these structures is the Mala Jin3: a place where women can turn for assistance, support, mediation, advice, and protection.

Mala Jin

Mala Jin are mainly known for their mediation work. Women searching for help and support in family matters or civil cases involving other women can turn to the Mala Jin for help.

Their work operates under the 'Social Justice' mandate of the Social Contract established in 2016, which defines social justice as the necessary “basis to organize and self-protect society. It depends on solving social problems related to justice in the villages, neighborhoods, and district communes. It solves problems by means of dialogue, negotiation, and mutual consent.

The first Mala Jin officially opened in Qamishlo on March 20, 2011. But, as discussed above, it was the result of decades of underground organizing by Kurdish women building a foundation to achieve full equality within their families and neighborhoods. The Mala Jin is an essential feature of the women’s movement on the local level as it offers new possibilities for women to solve conflicts and problems they face within their household. It develops a new form of justice and conflict resolution based on dialogue and mediation.

The full report can be read here