Kongra Star (Kurdish for Star Congress), founded in 2005 under the name of Yekîtiya Star (Kurdish for Star Union of Women), is a confederation of women's organizations in Rojava, Syria. The name Star "refers to the ancient Mesopoamian goddess Ishtar, and nowadays the name also refers to celestial stars." They have been instrumental in the significant advances made in gender relations in the region. Its work is based on the claim that "without the liberation of women, a truly free society is impossible." One of its founding members is Îlham Ehmed, former Co-Chair of the Syrian Democratic Council.
Founding principles
The four founding principles of Kongreya Star are as such:
"Star Congress is based on the voluntary union of democratic organizations, institutions and democratic figures. It is a confederal women's organization which organises itself in the form of communes, assemblies, academies, cooperatives, foundations, associations, parties, etc." "Each organization, union or committee that joins protects its identity. It joins Star Congress based on principles of mutual dependency. The organization operates according to the principles of radical democracy." "Star Congress is responsible for the coordination, implementation and supervision of the decisions and policies of different institutions, organizations and canton assemblies." "Kongreya Star is flexible and embraces diversity and democratic participation."
The Congress of Kongra Star
The Congress of Kongreya Star is an event head every two years in which all the organizations and groups under the umbrella movement of Kongreya Star assemble to reflect on work done in the past as well as goals for the future. Each congress has embraced the decision to fight for the freedom of leader Abdullah Öcalan, whose democratic confederalism has become the guiding principle for Rojava and the Kongreya Star movement.
History of the Congresses (2005–2016) The First Congress took place on January 15, 2005. Due to the secretive nature of the meeting, there were only a few women present. During this congress, the formation of Yekîtiya Star was declared. The women in attendance began reaching out to other activist groups to begin discussing women's oppression across Syria.
The Second Congress took place on July 9–10, 2007. 61 women were present for the conference. The Congress decided to expand the movement and get more women involved in the organization, but the Ba'ath regime had the women revolutionaries arrested.
The Third Congress took place on December 6, 2009, with 81 women attending the event. The Congress was held the slogan "we are not anyone's honor, our honor is our freedom," in order to raise awareness of the "number of women and girls killed in the name of family honor." The main talking points for the Third Congress were how to stop the spread of prostitution and drugs, amongst other oppressions faced by women.
The Fourth Congress was held on July 29, 2011, through July 30, 2011, in Afrin. Under the slogan "To increase the pace of the women's liberation struggle and build democratic self-administration," 100 women, representing women's organizations across western Kurdistan and Syria, were present for the conference. Understanding the importance of self-administration, the Congress decided to create assemblies and communes, as well as elect a 31-member body that would serve as Rojava's coordination.
The Fifth Congress took place in April 2013. 251 women attended the conference which was held under the slogan, "So that women will not remain outside of the organization."
The Sixth Congress was held from February 25 to 26, 2016, with the overarching theme of "To build a democratic nation in women's color." With over 250 women in attendance, the Congress decided to change its name from Yekîtiya Star to its current name of Kongreya Star (Star Congress).
Communes
Neighborhoods and towns in Rojava are organized in communes of seven to two hundred people; previously, these communes made up the cantons of Afrîn, Kobanê, and Cizîre. These communes are organized in two networks: those run by Tev-Dem, which are made up of men and women, and women's communes, which are the basis of Kongreya Star.
Within the women's communes, women are encouraged to share their opinions and be active members of society, often for the first time in their lives. Women have a high participation rate in the communes, with the average ranging from 50–70%, with some reaching 100%.
Committees
There are five different types of committees present in every commune.
