SORGUL ŞÊXO

Qamishlo- The Kurdistan Women’s Communities (Komalên Jinên Kurdistan-KJK) launched a campaign from August 3 to August 15 to support the women of Afghanistan and Shengal (Sinjar) with the motto, “We Stand with Afghan women and women of Shengal against male attacks of hegemony” Although the campaign ended, women are determined to grow solidarity.

 In an interview with NuJINHA, Bihar Avrîn, member of the Jineology Academy, commented on the campaign run by the KJK. “We find all kinds of activities that will grow solidarity important and meaningful,” she said.

Bihar Avrîn highlighted the importance of campaigns supporting the women of the Middle East. “The KJK launched its campaign at an important period, when especially women have been killed. Since there is a cultural and religious genocide in the Middle East, we cannot only talk about physical violence. Nation-states have turned into a complete system of dictatorship and fascism. And this affects women the most. The patriarchal mindset based on religions and nation-states feeds the violence. We find the campaign launched by the KJK important.”

‘Women are the important element of democracy'

Speaking about the campaign and the organizations supported the campaign, Bihar Avrîn said:

“Many women and women’s organizations supported the campaign. Many workshops were held by the women of North and East Syria and Afghanistan. The campaign allowed the women of Afghanistan and Shengal to make their voices heard all around the world against genocidal attacks on them. The women’s revolution (In North and East Syria-Rojava) is one of the important gains of women and the uprising ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan is the uprising of women. In the 21st century, the uprising of women demanding freedom against slavery in the Middle East is very important because women are the important element of democracy in the region.”

‘Women had two difficult years’

Bihar Avrîn emphasized the situation and struggle of women in Afghanistan in the last two years after achieving gains for 20 years. “When the Taliban took over the country, the women faced a very difficult situation. They had achieved many important gains for 20 years before the Taliban. However, their gains were taken from them by the Taliban. Women in Afghanistan had two difficult years after the Taliban. They still organize themselves but in secret. However, they cannot protect themselves because they do not have a defense unit. Afghan women should train themselves and have their own defense unit to protect themselves from the Taliban.”

Bihar Avrîn thinks women are able to protect themselves against all kinds of genocidal attacks. “For instance, women in North and East Syria have opened Women’s Houses, women's cooperatives to promote women’s economic empowerment and they have built women’s villages. In addition, women of Shengal have broken stereotypes by forming their own defense units. Forming their own defense units is important for Yazidi women to prevent another genocide to be committed against them. Taking some practical steps is insufficient because the enemy is always active to kill us.”

 

‘A network should be formed against violence’

Bihar Avrîn pointed out that the laws of patriarchal mindset never protect women. “We need a social alliance gathering women around it. A strong network of Afghan and Yazidi women should be formed against violence to share their experiences and struggle together.”