Yazidi, Arab women getting ready for Women’s Day
Yazidi and Arab women in Shengal (Sinjar) have been getting ready to celebrate the International Women’s Day, calling on all women to say, “Enough is Enough” and to stand against oppression and restrictions.
Shengal (Sinjar)- The Yazidi Free Women's Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzîdî-TAJÊ) kicked off its activities and events for International Women’s Day by issuing a statement at the Old Bazaar in Shengal on February 25. The movement announced its program for IWD and said that they would carry out activities and events for IWD with the motto, “Let’s defend the values of the revolution with Jin, Jiyan, Azadî”.
NuJINHA spoke to Yazidi and Arab women in Shengal about International Women’s Day.
‘Women all around the world should celebrate IWD’
“We have celebrated International Women’s Day every year since we got to know the thoughts and philosophy of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan,” said Solîtana Eswa, an Arab woman in Shengal. “By getting to know the thoughts and philosophy of leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan), we got to know ourselves and got involved in activities. On March 8, women all around the world should celebrate International Women’s Day.”
‘We should not be afraid’
Women should support each other no matter where they are, emphasized Emşê Korkork, a Yazidi woman in Shengal. “As Yazidi and Arab women, we support each other and struggle together. As women, we wage a struggle for freedom in the four parts of Kurdistan and all around the world thanks to the thoughts and philosophy of leader Apo. I call every woman to celebrate our day everywhere. As women, we should not be afraid because we have a strong will. We can fight against all kinds of attacks and all forms of violence.”
‘We call on women to struggle for freedom’
“March 8 is a holy day and a day of rebellion for women,” said Rîhan Xidir, another Yazidi woman in Shengal. “We will celebrate International Women’s Day by wearing our traditional clothes. I call on all women to raise their voices against oppression and restrictions on March 8. We call on women to struggle for freedom and their rights on March 8.”
‘March 8 is a successful day for women’
“March 8 is a successful day for women,” Sêvê Kito, a Yazidi woman, emphasized, adding: “On March 8, every woman should take to the streets in order to raise their voices for their rights against oppression and restrictions.”