Hêvî Mustafa: Autonomous Administration model and co-presidential system represent all women

The former co-chair of the Afrin Canton Hêvî Mustafa said that the Autonomous Administration model is a new experience in the Middle East, and that the co-presidential system implemented represents all women.

After the liberation of several cities, the people of Northern and Eastern Syria organized and declared the Democratic Autonomy in Afrin for the first time. All peoples in Northern and Eastern Syria took part in the Autonomous Administration system. In particular, women played the biggest role. Seeing the Autonomous Administration model as a threat to themselves, the hegemonic states have targeted the project since its establishment. But the peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria are struggling to defend the project as well as their lands.

Hêvî Mustafa, the former Co-President of the Afrin Canton, who was the first woman to enter the co-presidency system in the Autonomous Administration, spoke about the construction of the model.

She said that the Autonomous Administration is a new experience for the people of the region, and added: "The Autonomous Administration of the people with their own identity was a new system. Such a system was looked at with great curiosity. At the beginning of the proclamation of the Autonomous Administration, the peoples in the Middle East and especially the Kurdish people, were hesitant because it was something new. However, a change has been produced in society through education and awareness. The people saw their own power and, for the first time, had the opportunity to express themselves with their national identity and belief. Later, the peoples gathered around the Autonomous Administration."

Speaking about the period when Democratic Autonomy was declared, Hêvî Mustafa said: "When the Autonomous Administration was declared for the first time in all three cantons in 2014, some obstacles arose. The Kurdish people had the opportunity to govern themselves for the first time. The declaration of autonomy in Afrin for the first time made sense. It was the first time that women took part in the administration in Afrin, so they wanted to rule a canton and impose the Democratic Autonomous system in society.”

After two years of work in the Afrin canton, the co-chairmanship system was established for the first time in Afrin. Mustafa said: “Its establishment in Afrin for the first time meant a lot. It was a big responsibility. Women had a great responsibility. All women were represented in the Autonomous Administration system. Society was raising awareness through the work done every day."

Hêvî Mustafa congratulated the peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria on the anniversary of the establishment of the Autonomous Administration and said: "I hope that the areas occupied by the Turkish state will be liberated next year. Once again, the peoples of the region live together in peace on their land. Our gains in this land have been achieved with the blood of the children of these people. Therefore, the people should unite around the Autonomous Administration and not be affected by the special war policies of the enemy."