Tabqa has been rid of the barbarity of a sinister and barbaric mentality, and changed into a free city. We head towards that city on a long and unclear trail that bears some risks...

Tabqa opens up in front of us with its woody landscapes, huge hills and the dam that resembles a sea. Fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces welcome us at the Asayish checkpoint. The traces of war are still fresh. As we approach the city, the traces show themselves not only on the buildings that were reduced to rubbles, but also on the faces of the people.

EACH WOMAN HAS A STORY TO TELL

Tabqa city was veiled in darkness for 4 years, before it finally got liberated by SDF forces 3 months ago. After 4 years of hell, the women defeated their fear after they tasted freedom. Each woman sold at market places has an own story to tell. They tore down the black veil which they were forced to put on, after they got freed.

WOMEN DO NOT FEAR ANYMORE

Following the liberation of their city, women started to take part in all fields of life, and lend the city their own color.

It is the first time that women on that soil work and participate in sectors of production without having to fear, and protect people from labour usurpation on their own.

Co-chair of Tabqa Council, Rewsen, told us that 80% of the daily life is managed by women who discuss and solve their problems in councils.

Later we were guided by a woman named Nesrîn to the dam of Tabqa, which we wished to visit. Nesrîn drives a car. It is quite normal for a woman to drive a car in other places around the world, no doubt, but is a sacred journey for us here, in these lands, where even the breath of women is taken captive.

THE STORY OF NERÎMAN FROM EFRÎN

We should let aside the issue of car driving, as women weren't even allowed to walk on the streets, tells Nesrîn who then gives us the example of a mother from Efrîn: "Nerîman was mother to three children. Her eldest daughter was abducted by ISIS. Facing accusations of 'adultery' by ISIS, Nerîman was stoned by ISIS three times. Each time she was taken to hospital, patched and stoned again. The third time, she was stoned to death.

Today, we see children playing on the streets, women managing councils and the city's defense, while men work in reconstruction. Or if we put it in other words, literally everyone is giving their best to build and form a Tabqa in freedom...