Helin Xubun
Italy – This year, Italian journalist Marilù Mastrogiovanni celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Mediterranean Journalists Forum, of which she was one of the main founders. Every year, the forum dedicates a space for discussion on the Kurdish question and the women’s revolution in North and East Syria, reflecting its continuous commitment to highlight the struggles of peoples and women in the region and to shed light on their emancipatory experiences.
Mastrogiovanni, journalist and founder of the Mediterranean Journalists Forum, is well aware that the Kurdish issue and the women’s revolution in Rojava are annually raised in the forum’s discussions, which shows its consistent dedication to amplifying the struggles of peoples and women in the region.
As a researcher at the University of Bari, Mastrogiovanni devotes her efforts to studying transformative pedagogy based on Jineology, seeking to develop innovative methods of transmitting women’s knowledge through the use of holograms and artificial intelligence.
She explained that breaking geographical and physical borders and opening up to virtual worlds has become possible thanks to modern communication tools. She expressed her wish to share her thoughts on the project of democracy and unity proposed by Syrian women and members of Kongra Star, affirming her belief that the initiative presented by leader Abdullah Öcalan for building peace and a democratic society represents an advanced vision for Syria and for the whole world.
“The Democratic Experience in Rojava”
She pointed out that the experience of founding the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) could serve as an inspiration for the Syrian people, noting that the party’s decision to destroy its weapons opens the door to new, bold, and innovative positions. She added that the women of North and East Syria, along with members of the Syrian Council, the Jineology Research Center, and Kongra Star, embody unprecedented forms of resistance.
Mastrogiovanni called on global media—especially Middle Eastern outlets—to make space for the voice of the most radical social alternative, which is now manifested in the democratic experiment of Rojava.
Rejecting All Forms of Violence
She stressed that this vision is not only about the future of Syria, but could serve as a model for any country striving for true reconciliation. She described the movement’s decision to destroy its weapons as a radical choice:

“It is the material expression of what Öcalan calls ‘killing masculinity.’ This means rejecting all forms of violence rooted in patriarchal culture. Who today can do the same? Which so-called ‘advanced’ state is ready to kill masculinity within itself and give up its weapons?”
She then asked: “Can Italy and Europe do this?”
Adding, “The Kurdish people—and Kurdish women in particular—are a beacon of light in this regard. They represent humanity and freedom, achieved through the Autonomous Administration system. Their voices must be heard, their testimonies shared, and their practices and knowledge studied—because without the liberation of women, no free society can exist.”
“The Women’s Revolution Must Continue”
She also drew attention to the recent attacks on the Kurdish people in Syria, stressing that they are unacceptable. Rejecting these aggressions, she said:
“The women’s revolution in Rojava must continue, because it represents the vanguard of freedom for all life. True freedom means liberation from all forms of systematic violence.”
Mastrogiovanni warned that the terrorist forces still active in Syria today aim to undermine the significant achievements made by the Kurdish people and the women of North and East Syria on their path toward self-administration. She emphasized that this path must be embraced as an ideal model by every culture that claims to be democratic:
“Without the Autonomous Administration, there is no democracy. This model is absent in many countries that describe themselves as democratic—not even in Italy.”