BERÇEM CÛDÎ

Kobanê- The 19 July Revolution, also known as the Rojava Revolution, started when the People's Defense Units (YPG) entered the conflict by capturing the city of Kobanê on 19 July 2012, followed by the capture of Amuda and Efrîn on 20 July. The revolution led to many opportunities for all people, especially women to play their roles in art and culture, politics, military and economy. Witnesses of the revolution, which has entered its 12th year, define this revolution as a new birth.

Helîma Osman (47) is one of the women, who played important roles in the revolution. She served as a member of Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria for a long time during the revolution after fighting ISIS in Kobanê. Helîma Osman was injured in a Turkish attack on April 18, 2024 but she never gave up and she is currently a member of the Sara Organization to Combat Violence against Women. In an interview with NuJINHA, she talked about the 19 July Revolution.

 ‘The city of Kobanê belongs to the Kurdish people and leader Apo’

At the beginning of her speech, she drew attention to the resistance in Kobanê. “The process before July 19 was very exciting. I remember how we were getting ready for the revolution with great excitement by joining the movement. We got ready to establish assemblies and our self-defense forces. As the people of Kobanê, we sent the forces of the Baathist regime from our city and declared our independence. We were filled with enthusiasm, happiness that we held marches and activities. People of all ages; children, women, young and old people shared their happiness with each other. The city of Kobanê belongs to the Kurdish people and leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). The resistance in Kobanê started a revolution in Rojava Kurdistan and the revolution slowly spread across Rojava.”

 ‘Women led the revolution’

Helîma Osman also talked about how the revolution in Rojava turned into a women’s revolution. “Women led the revolution. As women, we entered all institutions of the regime, took down their flags and hung our green, red and yellow flags. Before the revolution started, women were oppressed by the Baathist regime. Women saw the revolution as an opportunity to build an alternative life and system that would ensure their existence, rights and freedoms, and they welcomed the revolution with great enthusiasm. As women, we needed this revolution more than any other people in society. So, we took up arms, led the revolution and turned the revolution into a women’s revolution.”

‘Women have gained significant power’

Helîma Osman feels lucky to “be a part of the revolution and witness the women's revolution. Before the revolution, my life was limited to taking care of children at home. Due to the patriarchal mindset, we, as women, did not have dreams or a future. I joined the revolution because it gave women many opportunities.” Helîma Osman first became a member of the Martyr Yehya Neighborhood Council and she became one of the first five women in the Women's Internal Security Forces. “We visited all houses in order to increase the number of women in the security forces. However, our society did not accept women wearing military uniforms and defending their cities. We made great efforts to change our society. The YPJ formed dozens of battalions to protect women. Since the revolution started, women have gained significant power by playing important roles in aşş facets of life.”

‘We will keep struggling to protect our gains’

Speaking about the 12th anniversary of the July 19 Revolution, she said, “The more we talk about our revolution, the more women's gains will be revealed. Women have managed to build their system in 12 years; they have played their roles in military, law, art and culture, education, media, etc. Yekitiya Star changed its name to Kongra Star to be the umbrella organization for all people from all nationalities in NE Syria after holding its sixth congress on February 25, 2016. The system built after the revolution has become a hope for women and all people and a threat for the hegemonic powers. I am one of those women, who decided to join the women's revolution, played their roles. On April 18, 2024, a Turkish drone targeted me and I lost one of my legs and arms in the attack. Like hundreds of women, I became a target of the Turkish state. But I still have an arm, a leg, a tongue and a brain. We will keep struggling to protect the gains of the revolution to the end.”