Final declaration of National Kurdish Women’s Workshop in Sulaymaniyah

The KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Women’s Commission and the Kurdistan Women’s Union organised a workshop in the Sulaymaniyah city of southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) on Saturday under the motto “Stop femicide”.

A series of important matters were discussed during the workshop, such as the challenges experienced by women in four parts of Kurdistan, and the importance of unity in the struggle.

KNK Co-chair Zeynep Muradi, HDP MP and Women’s Council Spokesperson Ayşe Acar Başaran, HDP Hewlêr representatives Naide Ermiş, Ruken Merce, female members of PUK Presidency Council and Politburo, female members of the Kurdistan and Iraqi parliaments, female political activists, journalists and academics were among the participants of the workshop.

In an exhibition at the workshop, photos of women murdered by men were displayed and the participants were handed out leaflets on social gender equality, women’s rights and freedoms.

The workshop was divided into two panels of five topics in total. ‘Violence against women and arrests as a result of political power,’ ‘The role of law and culture in women’s identity,’ and ‘The situation of women under political pressure” were discussed in the first panel, while the second panel focused on “The current situation of women in the occupying government” and “The situation of Yazidi women in current reality.”

The final declaration of the workshop includes the following:

* Through their unity and solidarity, Kurdish women should exceed the boundaries that have become obstacles.

* Women from Bashur (South), Rojava (West), Bakur (North) and Rojhilat (East Kurdistan) should treat each other with responsibility and resume their political and social debates.

* It is a moral and conscientious duty to stand with women who have experienced violence or face the risk. There should be a common stance and solidarity.

* Women should raise their voice and manifest their stance against political parties in order for women to have their will advanced and have a role in all social and political fields.  

* Protection of the Yazidi women in Shengal is the main responsibility of women. The wounds of Yazidi women are yet to be healed and their challenges have yet to come to an end.

* The Women’s Council and all Kurdish parties should work, as per a national duty, for those Yazidi women who are still missing.

* Unity is needed to protect our land and country. Women should reclaim the gains of women in the first place.

* We call on all women’s organizations all around the world to take a stance against the attacks on Kurdistan, and to support the efforts and struggle of Kurdish women.

* We call upon all women in four parts of Kurdistan to work for a joint resolution mechanism.

* It is a duty for women to organise the Kurdistan National Women’s Conference.

* Women should adopt a stand against the enemies of the Kurdish culture.”

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