Building Alternatives in Rojava: Women’s Liberation & Cooperative Economy

A presentation and discussion with Emre Sahin and Meghan Bodette

Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, the peoples of Northeast Syria, commonly known as Rojava, have been building an alternative system of governance based on the principles of direct democracy, gender equality, pluralism, anti-capitalism, and social ecology. On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, this event will focus on two of the pillars of Rojava’s vision as developed by the Kurdish movement, namely women’s liberation and cooperative economy. Our speakers will trace the development of the Kurdish women’s movement and discuss the growth of Rojava’s cooperative economy, highlighting women’s autonomous economic organizing.

Emre Sahin is a participant and researcher of social movements, particularly the Kurdish movement, and a sociologist at Binghamton University.
Meghan Bodette is a researcher focused on Turkey, Syria and Kurdish issues.