Jineology – science of women, science of revolution

Camilla Power is an activist and academic. She has been teaching anthropology for over 20 years at University of East London. With the Radical Anthropology Group, she researches the role of women in human origins, and the evolution of language, art and symbolism. She has done fieldwork on gender and ritual with Hadza women of Tanzania. 

“If women combine forces they can make a huge revolution”

With these words, Fawza Yusif, cofounder of the umbrella women’s organization Kongreya Star, launched the founding congress of the Women’s Council of Northern and Eastern Syria (Jun 14 2019).

The Painting of Şahmaran outside the Jineology centre in Derik.

 

Jineology – science of women, science of revolution

Camilla Power, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, University of East London

“If women combine forces they can make a huge revolution”

With these words,  Fouwza Yusuf, cochair of Kongreya Star launched the founding congress of the Women’s Council of Northern and Eastern Syria (Jun 14 2019).

Practical evidence for women “making ourselves powerful” and “building a new life” was all around us. As a Perwerde delegation of US and European academics invited by Rojava University, we brought a message of solidarity to this historic congress. It was one of the most multicultural events I have witnessed with translations across four, five or more languages, and representation from multiethnic and multireligious communities, Islamic, Christian and also the preAbrahamic Yezidi. Women wore dazzling celebratory costumes showing off their traditions, alongside the more practical military fatigues of the YPJ (Women’s Protection Units).

EVENT: Pedagogy for Revolution: The Case of Rojava

Public meeting and discussion with author Janet Biehl who will talk about the new women’s science of “Jineology” and the revolutionary transformation of eduction. She has visited Rojava twice and will report on her recent visit. You can view a video of the event here.

The meeting will be opened by Melanie Gingell, barrister, Doughty Street Chambers

Chaired by Elif Sarican, Kurdish Student Union

Date: Friday 23 October 6.30pm

Venue: Doughty Street Chambers, 54 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LS