Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini was murdered by "morality" police in Tehran, Iran, on September 16, 2022. Following the outrage over Jina Mahsa Amini's murder, a revolutionary uprising was launched in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran, led by women, under the slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî." The murder of Jina Mahsa Amini sparked outrage not only in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran, but also in many countries around the world. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom), which rose in the wake of Jina, transformed into a social uprising and a revolutionary movement led by women. Political activist Mehrafaq Moqemi answered our agency's questions on the third anniversary of the massacre.

*First of all, we would like to hear your general assessment of the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" revolutionary uprising. What successes and challenges do you think this uprising has achieved in the last three years?

This question is crucial because it addresses the issue of women and their freedoms and fosters diverse perspectives on this issue. The women's issue is not limited to modern or traditional patterns; on the contrary, it gains meaning through its relationship with women's bodies and rights in political and social dimensions, addressing women's true aspirations from a revolutionary perspective. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" was born under difficult circumstances and carries great revolutionary potential. Even in areas under ISIS control, women have created significant transformations by establishing councils and carrying out collective activities. Today, this slogan, which has spread to more than 150 cities and regions, has resonated strongly on a global scale. The most fundamental and universal message of this slogan is that it represents a stand against the mechanisms of oppression and control over women's bodies.

Iran's historical experience It demonstrates that authoritarian governments allied with capitalists always restrict freedoms. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" aims to liberate life from domination and narrow judgments by challenging patriarchal and oppressive ideologies. Women's presence on the stage allows them to clarify their roles alongside the public and make their political and social demands visible. This movement also carries a strong social dimension. It strives to eliminate discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and marital status, and to break economic, social, and political domination. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" has managed to transcend traditional and abstract boundaries, spreading both within Iran and globally.

 

Following this uprising, Iranian women made significant progress through their struggle and resistance, forming a united front. They demonstrated an active and influential presence, particularly among young women and young men. In this uprising, women fulfilled their leading roles, enabling them to assume effective leadership roles for the first time. This was a historic development for the Iranian women's movement. This uprising, which addressed minority groups, and offered previously marginalized segments of society an opportunity to step forward and raise their voices. The role of the people of Eastern Kurdistan, Balochistan, and other social groups in this movement was clearly evident; even the middle classes actively participated in the process. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" transcended national boundaries and became a call for resistance, inspiring global movements beyond any single ethnic group or region. The younger generation overcame their fears, made the resistance part of a collective process, and bravely took the stage. This uprising created a new discourse that left a deep mark on social memory and brought the issue of control over women's bodies to the forefront. Despite intense repression, systematic violence, and arrests, the movement, with its networked and decentralized structure, was able to survive.

 

The slogan "Death to the Dictator" was a powerful call for resistance, but it did not offer a clear roadmap for a transitional process. Progressive opposition forces in the diaspora supported this slogan; however, right-wing circles attempted to confine the movement to a narrow political framework, ignoring the true demands of the people. The heightened consciousness of the masses prevented these efforts from succeeding, and It revealed that an intellectual and theoretical revolution had taken place. This revolution challenged the patriarchal order and male tyranny, largely obstructing the reproduction of these structures.

*How can popular movements, especially the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" movement, maintain their identity and power in the face of political developments and regional events?

This question is crucial because it reveals the role of peoples and popular movements in regional wars and crises. Unlike movements based on ethnicity, religion, or nationalism, the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" movement: By adhering to three fundamental principles: religion, life, and freedom, it has created an influential social and cultural discourse on a global scale. Despite regional wars and competition, this movement has been able to maintain its independent path and expand its organizational and constructive networks. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" possesses a powerful revolutionary potential, highlighting all regimes dependent on imperialist and regional powers and pursuing the path of independence and popular will. This movement has resonated not only in Iran but also across the region and the world, creating a transnational network. Women activists in Iran have established connections with women in Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon, disseminating their slogans at international events and on digital media platforms. The movement's fundamental effort is to bring together diverse strengths and experiences to create a common transregional language based on freedom, social justice, and gender equality.

*What key experiences from past uprisings can inspire the continuation of the movement?

This uprising is neither an internally nor externally imposed project; It has truly emerged as a popular movement. People are learning how to resist far-right movements in the realm of social and intellectual struggle. Families play a crucial role in preserving social memory and cultural symbols; every mother who loses a child becomes a living symbol of the struggle. Local commemorations and anniversaries, the active participation of women, and the formation of local institutions and networks keep social memory and resistance alive. Activities ranging from retirees to students to workers' strikes strengthen the connection between people's daily problems and the struggle for just structures.

Local slogans and symbols play a crucial role in the solidarity of diverse families and movements, enabling the establishment of regional and cross-border networks. The expansion of these networks, public participation, and efforts to globalize the slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" will strengthen the voice of the Iranian people in the international arena and weaken the influence of right-wing movements and global powers. It is our shared responsibility to strengthen these movements through the solidarity and participation of the younger generation and to build a free and equal future for Iranian society.

Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini was murdered by "morality" police in Tehran, Iran, on September 16, 2022. Following the outrage over Jina Mahsa Amini's murder, a revolutionary uprising was launched in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran, led by women, under the slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî." The murder of Jina Mahsa Amini sparked outrage not only in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran, but also in many countries around the world. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom), which rose in the wake of Jina, transformed into a social uprising and a revolutionary movement led by women. Political activist Mehrafaq Moqemi answered our agency's questions on the third anniversary of the massacre.

*First of all, we would like to hear your general assessment of the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" revolutionary uprising. What successes and challenges do you think this uprising has achieved in the last three years?

This question is crucial because it addresses the issue of women and their freedoms and fosters diverse perspectives on this issue. The women's issue is not limited to modern or traditional patterns; on the contrary, it gains meaning through its relationship with women's bodies and rights in political and social dimensions, addressing women's true aspirations from a revolutionary perspective. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" was born under difficult circumstances and carries great revolutionary potential. Even in areas under ISIS control, women have created significant transformations by establishing councils and carrying out collective activities. Today, this slogan, which has spread to more than 150 cities and regions, has resonated strongly on a global scale. The most fundamental and universal message of this slogan is that it represents a stand against the mechanisms of oppression and control over women's bodies.

Iran's historical experience It demonstrates that authoritarian governments allied with capitalists always restrict freedoms. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" aims to liberate life from domination and narrow judgments by challenging patriarchal and oppressive ideologies. Women's presence on the stage allows them to clarify their roles alongside the public and make their political and social demands visible. This movement also carries a strong social dimension. It strives to eliminate discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and marital status, and to break economic, social, and political domination. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" has managed to transcend traditional and abstract boundaries, spreading both within Iran and globally.

 

Following this uprising, Iranian women made significant progress through their struggle and resistance, forming a united front. They demonstrated an active and influential presence, particularly among young women and young men. In this uprising, women fulfilled their leading roles, enabling them to assume effective leadership roles for the first time. This was a historic development for the Iranian women's movement. This uprising, which addressed minority groups, and offered previously marginalized segments of society an opportunity to step forward and raise their voices. The role of the people of Eastern Kurdistan, Balochistan, and other social groups in this movement was clearly evident; even the middle classes actively participated in the process. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" transcended national boundaries and became a call for resistance, inspiring global movements beyond any single ethnic group or region. The younger generation overcame their fears, made the resistance part of a collective process, and bravely took the stage. This uprising created a new discourse that left a deep mark on social memory and brought the issue of control over women's bodies to the forefront. Despite intense repression, systematic violence, and arrests, the movement, with its networked and decentralized structure, was able to survive.

The slogan "Death to the Dictator" was a powerful call for resistance, but it did not offer a clear roadmap for a transitional process. Progressive opposition forces in the diaspora supported this slogan; however, right-wing circles attempted to confine the movement to a narrow political framework, ignoring the true demands of the people. The heightened consciousness of the masses prevented these efforts from succeeding, and It revealed that an intellectual and theoretical revolution had taken place. This revolution challenged the patriarchal order and male tyranny, largely obstructing the reproduction of these structures.

*How can popular movements, especially the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" movement, maintain their identity and power in the face of political developments and regional events?

This question is crucial because it reveals the role of peoples and popular movements in regional wars and crises. Unlike movements based on ethnicity, religion, or nationalism, the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" movement: By adhering to three fundamental principles: religion, life, and freedom, it has created an influential social and cultural discourse on a global scale. Despite regional wars and competition, this movement has been able to maintain its independent path and expand its organizational and constructive networks. The slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" possesses a powerful revolutionary potential, highlighting all regimes dependent on imperialist and regional powers and pursuing the path of independence and popular will. This movement has resonated not only in Iran but also across the region and the world, creating a transnational network. Women activists in Iran have established connections with women in Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon, disseminating their slogans at international events and on digital media platforms. The movement's fundamental effort is to bring together diverse strengths and experiences to create a common transregional language based on freedom, social justice, and gender equality.

*What key experiences from past uprisings can inspire the continuation of the movement?

This uprising is neither an internally nor externally imposed project; It has truly emerged as a popular movement. People are learning how to resist far-right movements in the realm of social and intellectual struggle. Families play a crucial role in preserving social memory and cultural symbols; every mother who loses a child becomes a living symbol of the struggle. Local commemorations and anniversaries, the active participation of women, and the formation of local institutions and networks keep social memory and resistance alive. Activities ranging from retirees to students to workers' strikes strengthen the connection between people's daily problems and the struggle for just structures.

Local slogans and symbols play a crucial role in the solidarity of diverse families and movements, enabling the establishment of regional and cross-border networks. The expansion of these networks, public participation, and efforts to globalize the slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" will strengthen the voice of the Iranian people in the international arena and weaken the influence of right-wing movements and global powers. It is our shared responsibility to strengthen these movements through the solidarity and participation of the younger generation and to build a free and equal future for Iranian society.