ŞÊRÎN ELÎ

Shahba- Kurdish women have struggled against gender-based violence and patriarchal mindset by revealing their will in all spheres of life. One of these women is Wehida Xelil, who was involved in political, social, cultural, and artistic activities when she was 19 years old. Being a woman from Afrin living in the Shahba Canton, Wehida Xelil is now a member of the Women’s Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD).

Wehida Xelil told us that a genocidal campaign has been carried out against the Kurdish people for years with all means and methods.

“When I was young, I learned many things about the Kurdish movement. When I was 19 years old, I got involved in political activities with my family. At that time, the Kurdish language was forbidden, actually, everything about the Kurds was forbidden. The Kurdish people couldn’t say they were Kurds due to the pressures of the dominant system. As I felt and experienced the pressure, my enthusiasm to participate in the activities increased. I realized that our society needed strong women who showed their will. In the beginning, I participated in cultural activities. In 1996, I started participating in cultural and artistic activities with a group consisting of young men and women playing musical instruments. My family always supported me,” Wehida Xelil said.

Stating that she took the stage for the first time on International Women’s Day in 1997, Wehida Xelil said, “After that day, we kept working in other areas until the establishment of the organizations and assemblies affiliated to the Democratic Autonomous Administration.”

“Protect your will”

Calling on women to protect their will, society, and rights, Wehida Xelil said, “We will never take a step back. We will keep our great resistance alive. I call on all Kurdish women to protect their will, society, and rights to build a free society.”