A WOMEN’S commune is set to open on Sunday in northern Syria to mark the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women.

Construction on the Jinwar women’s village near the city of Dirbesiye in Cizire canton on the Syrian-Turkish border began in December 2016. It will comprise 30 households and provides a school, a museum and a medical centre along with the Jinwar Academy.

The project aims to provide a refuge for women who have fought or lost loved ones in the struggle to liberate northern Syria from jihadists who swept across the country taking women as sex slaves as well as committing rape and torture.

Jinwar village will focus on agricultural development in an attempt to be self-sufficient and hopes to develop its bakery stores and others to a position where it will be able to also provide for nearby villages.

Widows and women without any family can apply to the Kongreya Star or Women’s House administrations to settle in the village.

Currently eight families live in the village and its focus on communal living sees them cook and eat together.

Fatma Derwish explained that she fell into poverty after her husband was killed fighting Isis. His death left her struggling to bring up their seven children alone.

“I am glad I came to such a special place. Because there is a shared life in this village. Women are together in everything and aim to be complimentary before all,” she said.

Women have been at the front line of the fight against Isis in northern Syria as part of the Women’s Protection Unit’s (YPJ) and People’s Protection Unit’s (YPG).

Thousands of Yazidi women and children remain missing after being kidnapped by Isis and sold into sexual slavery as part of a massacre designated a genocide by the United Nations.