“HPC-JIN defends the reality, existence, and rights of women”

“Women and children have defended their lands since the beginning of humanity. Today, the members of the HPC-JIN defend their society and lands,” said Hediye Abdullah, the executive of the Women's Social Defense Units (HPC-JIN).

RONAHÎ NÛDA

Qamishlo – The Democratic Nation System in NE Syria has brought many developments with it. After the Revolution in Rojava, women have founded many organizations and institutes and pioneered the changes in society. One of them is the Women's Social Defense Units (HPC-JIN), which plays an important role in society. The HPC-JIN has shaped women's self-defense forces on democratic confederalism. The HPC-JIN was established in 2016 as the self-defense units of women. Hediye Abdullah, the executive of the Women's Social Defense Units (HPC-JIN), spoke to NuJINHA about the activities of the units.

“The HPC-JIN was established in 2016”

Stating that the HPC-JIN was established in 2016, Hediye Abdullah said:

“Before the HPC-JIN was officially announced, we conducted our work in the commune and community in 2013. At that time, the asayish (security) forces weren’t established yet and we kept watch at all checkpoints. Before the revolution, the Baathist Regime ruled in Rojava Kurdistan. After the revolution, we took them out of the region and begin to defend our region ourselves. After the asayish forces were established, our name was not officially announced, but everyone knew us as patriots defending their own region. Our name was officially mentioned in 2014. The general congress of the HPC was held in 2015 but the HPC-JIN was established in 2016. After being officially announced, we opened our offices in all regions of NE Syria.”

“The members of the HPC-JIN defend their people and lands”

Speaking about the aim of the HPC-JIN, Hediye Abdullah said, “When a revolution takes place in a country, a war starts and those who are affected by this war are women. In Rojava, two revolutions took place. The first revolution is the armed revolution and the second one is the popular revolution. Men oppressed women in families due to the patriarchal mindset in society. We objected to this mindset and said that women should not be subjected to oppression and violence. We, as defense units, defend the rights, existence, and reality of women. At first, we do not allow women to marry at a young age. We learned the biggest lesson from Shengal, because if HPC-JIN had been there, more than 3,000 women of Shengal would not have been abducted. We expanded our organization in order to not allow women to be abducted again. Our people have taken strength from us. We think that defending our people and lands is a sacred duty. When Kongra Star was founded, many institutes were formed and one of them was the defense of women. Women have defended their society, children, and lands for centuries. Today, the members of the HPC-JIN defend their society and lands. All knowledge and experience of women were confiscated by the male-dominant mindset. Today we are freed from slavery and return to our essence. Today we defend ourselves and protect our existence.”

“HPC-JIN can defend women all around the world”

Stating that they have organized in all regions of Rojava Kurdistan, Hediye Abdullah continued to talk as follows:

 “HPC-JIN has completed its organization in all cities of Rojava Kurdistan. Today, our organization is shown as a model organization all over the world. We can say that we have the power to defend all women all around the world because we have gained experiences from the women’s revolution. Today, we follow the legacy of our martyrs. We will keep defending our lands and women against all oppression and attacks and follow in the footsteps of our martyrs.”

“HPC-JIN defends all segments”

Pointing out that the HPC-JIN defends all segments, Hediye Abdullah said, “We first defend women and then our people. We have conducted awareness-raising activities for women. Our revolution has been built on the democratic nation paradigms and all segments can take part in this system. The members of the HPC-JIN are Arab, Assyrian, Yazidi, Christian, and Kurdish women. We defend all segments in society.”

Stating that every woman in society is actually a member of the HPC-JIN, Hediye Abdullah said, “The women are prepared for all attacks against their society. The enemy targets women and we must defend women against all attacks. Women should defend their families and society because the plan and aim of the occupiers are to take control of our region and enslave women. All women should be self-aware and develop their self-defense.”

 Tomorrow: Women's justice defends equality