SORGÜL ŞÊXO

Qamishlo- The cases of gender-based violence and femicide are on the rise all over the world. Despite everything, women keep resisting and mobilizing in all facets of life against policies targeting them. Women keep demanding freedom in many countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan and four parts of Kurdistan.

“We struggle to turn the 21st century into a women’s century,” said Jiyan Hisên, coordinating member of the Women’s Council of North and East Syria, stressing the importance of making this struggle a global struggle by building up women’s confederalism.

 ‘Women face many oppressive policies in the Middle East’

Mentioning many oppressive policies against women in the Middle East suffering from multiple crises, she said, “Women are prevented from participating in decision-making positions.”

Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan says, “The 21st century is the century of women's freedom”, Jiyan Hisên said, adding, “Kurdish women have already built their system by leading the revolution in North and East Syria. They have been playing a leading role in all facets of life, including diplomacy, social life, military and economy. The revolution in Rojava led by women has left its mark on the Middle East. We know that the revolution in North and East Syria inspires the women of the Middle East. Women’s unity and solidarity has the power to turn the 21st century into the century of women’s freedom.”

‘Afghan women do not bow to the Taliban’

Speaking about the uprisings, women’s movements and organizations in the Middle East, she said, “There is crisis, war, conflict and bloodshed everywhere, from Iraq to Egypt, from Lebanon to Palestine, from Algeria to Tunisia. Women and children pay the heaviest prices in war, crisis and conflict. We see how Palestinian women resist and struggle despite all the attacks. In Afghanistan, women do not bow to the Taliban. The ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ uprising started in Iran following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini by ‘morality police’.”

‘The unity of women is an uprising against governments’

Governments always aim to prevent women from uniting, Jiyan Hisên said. “The unity of women is an uprising against the systems of governments violating women's rights, instead of ensuring peace, equality and justice. Therefore, the governments never want women to unite. As women, we can use social media platforms to share our experiences, learn in which countries women need support. Women must unite to turn the 21st century into a century of women.”

 ‘It is time to build up women’s confederalism in the Middle East’

It is time to build up women’s confederalism in the Middle East, Jiyan Hisên stressed and concluded her speech saying, “With a common resistance, the struggle of women in Kurdistan and all over the world will get stronger. The recent developments show us that we must be careful and strengthen our solidarity. We can have the century that leader Öcalan mentioned by building an equal, free and democratic system.”