NORŞÎN ABDİ

Kobanê –While 2022 was the year of many developments for women, it was also a year in which women were subjected to many attacks. NuJINHA spoke to Mizgîn Xelîl, coordinating member of the Kongra Star office in the Euphrates Region about their activities in 2022 and their aims in 2023.

‘The revolution and its gains will go down in history’

“2023 will be the year of determining the fate of the Kurdish people, Kurdish women and all peoples of the Middle East,” Mizgîn Xelîl said, “The struggle of the Kurdish women, the Rojava Revolution and its gains will go down in history.” Recalling the uprisings led by women against the hegemonic system by chanting the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (English: Women, Life, Freedom)” in 2022, Mizgîn Xelîl noted that 2022 was a different year for women.

‘We welcomed 2023 with great successes’

Indicating that they, as women, welcomed 2023 with great successes, Mizgîn Xelîl said, “In 2022, women achieved many successes. The role of women in the Rojava Revolution was very important. When we look at the previous years, we see that there were many uprisings and revolutions led by the Kurds against the sovereigns. Most of them failed. Each revolution has its own characteristics. The characteristic of the Rojava revolution is that it is a women's revolution. It became the basis for the uprisings in Rojhilatê Kurdistan. Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) said that the 21st century would be the century of women. This century and this year are very important for Kurdish people and women. Kurdish women have already proven that they will uphold their gains.”

‘We have built our unity against slavery’

Pointing to the common struggle of women in North and East Syria, Mizgîn Xelîl said, “Today, we see that the women in North and East Syria, in the Middle East and all around the world chant the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’. This is also a victory for us. Because we have built our unity against slavery. We can uphold our gains. We will keep struggling for women’s freedom.”

‘The isolation imposed on leader Apo is an isolation imposed on women’

Mizgîn Xelîl pointed out that the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, in her words, the creator of the “Jin, jiyan, azadi” philosophy and slogan, is also an attack on the women's struggle for freedom. “Kurdish people are subjected to all forms of attacks, including chemical attacks. Every day, the Turkish state attacks Medya Defense Zones. In addition, the ruling powers that carried out their conspiracy plans against leader Abdullah Öcalan, want to destroy Öcalan's projects and ideology by targeting women. An isolation has been openly imposed on Abdullah Öcalan. Where are the organizations that protect human rights? Where are the organizations that protect the rights of prisoners? These organizations do not fulfill their responsibilities.”

‘We will achieve our freedom’

Mentioning the struggle in four parts of Kurdistan with the slogan, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”, Mizgîn Xelîl said, “Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s life is at serious risk. All people who believe in his philosophy and ideology must demand his freedom. 2023 will be the year of Kurdish women and their freedom.”