ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Beirut- JÎN Women Association, the Newroz Cultural Association and the Noun Initiative for Abdullah Öcalan's Freedom held an international women’s conference on the experiences of women’s movements with the motto  “In the footsteps of Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” in Beirut from August 18 to August 19. NuJINHA spoke to two conference participants, Mayada Arabo, the representative of the Democratic Union Party in Lebanon, and Angela Al-Maamari, member of the Nada Coalition.

‘The conference shed light on the experiences of the various feminist movements’

Mayada Arabo told us that the conference shed light on the experiences of the various feminist movements demanding freedom and equality that Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has long called for. “At the conference, participants discussed the problems and injustice that women suffer from in the Middle East and North Africa and solutions for them by calling for formation of a regional alliance of women’s organizations. All women demanded the physical freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. The recent detention operations by the Turkish authorities are a violation of international law and inhuman practices,” she said.

 Yemeni activist Angela Al-Maamari thinks the conference was important for women in the Middle East and North Africa to share their experiences. “Learning more about the unique experience of the Rojava feminist revolution and the experience of women from North and East Syria was a motivation for the beginning of the feminist revolution.  The conference paved the way for us to develop a partnership with the Kurds and various nationalities and identities.”

In her speech, she also talked about the need for implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in Yemen. “Yemeni women need the implementation of the Resolution 1325 to put an end to violations against women during armed conflicts.”

Speaking about how Yemeni women can benefit from the experiences of women in North and East Syria and other successful women's experiences, she said, “Actually, Yemeni women have been in the frontline since the 70s. But they have been deprived of their rights for especially 10 years. Yemeni women should learn more about the experiences of Kurdish women, who defend themselves and their rights. The unity of women’s organizations in the Middle East and North Africa is important to ensure women’s freedom, share experiences and address the problems faced by women.”