RONAHÎ NÛDA

Qamishlo- Star FM began broadcasting in North and East Syria on December 15, 2017 with the motto, “The Voice of Women and Life”. All employees of the Star FM are women and its programs are by and about women.

The Star FM radio station was opened following the revolution in Rojava, also known as women’s revolution. The programs broadcasted by the radio station are about many issues such as women’s history, art and culture, politics and self-defense. Every year, the radio station produces new programs about women.

Star FM is the first women’s radio station in North and East Syria. The radio station broadcasts in two languages: Kurdish and Arabic. Currently, the radio station broadcasts 24 programs on health, social and cultural issues, the rights of children, life in villages and cities, poems and stories.

‘The radio station plays an important role’

“The radio station played an important role during the revolution and it still plays an important role,” said Dicle Demhat, one of the managers of Star FM. “The Third World War continues, we play an important role in reporting despite the internet outage. Radio is an important tool for humanitarian communication. Radio is still the most popular form of media all over the world. After the revolution in Rojava Kurdistan, radio stations were opened in every city of North and East Syria. Radio stations have a role in giving information about developments.”

‘Radio station can be listened to from around the world’

Speaking about the opening of the Star FM radio station, Dicle Demhat said, “The decision to open Star FM was made in 2016. On December 15, 2017, it started broadcasting. At the beginning, the radio station broadcasted only in the Qamishlo Canton but then, it started broadcasting in the Cizîr Region in 2020. Star FM radio station can be listened to from around the world on its official website.”

‘Star FM is the voice, dream and hope of women’

Dicle Demhat also talked about the meaning of “Star”. “There are many goddesses. In Mesopotamia, women were important. For this reason, the first goddess, symbolized by stars, is called “sterk,” that is star. Star FM was named after this goddess. There are many women’s organizations named after this goddess, such as Kongra Star. Star FM is the voice, dream and hope of women.”

 It broadcasts in Kurdish and Arabic

The Star FM radio station broadcasts its programs in Kurdish and Arabic. Speaking about the programs of the radio station, Dicle Demhat said, “Our programs about women, children, health, art and culture and a morning show called, ‘Rojbaş (Good morning)’. We also have a program on Jineology. Now, the radio station broadcasts across North and East Syria.”

‘We will leave our mark’

Lîlav Hesen, another manager of the radio station, told us that they celebrate the anniversary of Star FM radio station to remember the women who sacrificed their lives in this country. “The Star FM radio station started broadcasting following the revolution in Rojava and it plays an important role in this revolution. As women, we will leave our mark on the revolution with Star FM.”

‘Star FM has become the voice of women’

“When the Star FM radio station started broadcasting, it had only two women employees. Now, many women work for the radio station. This is a victory for us. I do not see the radio station as a workplace but a place of education. In recent years, many journalists have been attacked. Our colleagues are subjected to attacks every day. The attacks on journalists, especially women journalists, show that states are afraid of journalists. Because women journalists reveal the truth. Star FM has become the voice of women.”