During the Syrian civil war, Kurdish forces in Syria seized opportunities to declare autonomy and self-administration in the predominantly Kurdish regions, commonly known as Rojava. Since 2013, the self-administration of Rojava has functioned as a ‘proto-state,’ lacking full institutionalisation and international recognition. Despite this, Rojava’s Kurdish military forces have effectively gained territorial control over large parts of Syria and earned international reputation as the leading military ally in the coalition against the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
Amidst the ongoing war, Rojava’s Kurds and other minorities are actively implementing their ideals, including ideals for gender, in the construction of a new democratic self-government system. This democratisation process, known as the ‘Rojava Experiment,’ introduces radical social and political changes in a context of uncertainty.
In this seminar, we explore the challenges confronting the Rojava experiment, discuss the achievements of Rojava’s self-administration, and delve into how Kurdish women work to improve their conditions in the region’s transition from war to peace.
A light lunch will be served.
Facebook event
