Women launch activities for 8 March in North-East Syria

An alliance of women’s organisations in the Autonomous Region of North and East Syria has published the programme for International Women’s Day on 8 March. Press statements were issued at the Mihemed Şêxo cultural centre in Qamishlo and at Hevrîn Xelef Park in Raqqa.

According to the statement, the joint activities will take place under the motto “Defending our revolution and liberating our country together”. The Women’s Alliance stated: “Despite decades of struggle, women continue to be subjected to violence, oppression and enslavement by the patriarchal system of rule. The will of women worldwide is wanted to be broken. In the occupied territories in Syria, women are tortured by the Turkish state and extremist groups. In northern and eastern Syria, women have brought about radical change through their own efforts and have been instrumental in the emergence of self-rule. The YPJ defends the rights they have fought for and the struggle of martyrs like Sosin Bîrhat, Awaz Urmiyê, Nûjiyan, Rojîn, Viyan, Ivana Hoffman, Kerîma Loran, Hevrîn Xelef, Hind, Seîda, Zîlan Ereb and Wîdad Yûnan is relentlessly continued by women.”

The press statements in Qamishlo and Raqqa called for participation in the 8 March activities and the global women’s struggle. Activities are planned in north-east Syria until 10 March. In addition to celebrations throughout the autonomous region, the joint programme includes commemorative events at cemeteries of martyrs on 1 March. Seminars and online events have also been announced. The individual women’s organisations are also carrying out their own activities.