The General Command of the Women’s Defense Forces (HPJ) celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the Kurdish women’s army “on behalf of all women who resist and struggle.”
“We commemorate all the martyrs of the Kurdistan Revolution, represented by Heval (Comrade) Bêrîtan, and all the revolutionary women who were martyred on the path to freedom, and we bow before them with respect. At the same time, we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the women’s army, represented by all the women who resist and struggle,” said the written statement by HPJ General Command, which further included the following:
“October is a significant and important month in our struggle for freedom. With the rebellious and resilient stance of our great pioneer Heval Bêrîtan, October 25 has earned an important place in the memory of the Kurdish community. Heval Bêrîtan’s stance paved the way for the liberation of all women from years of slavery. At the same time, the magnificent resistance of the women’s revolution began against conspiracy and betrayal. Comrade Bêrîtan became a monument who refused to surrender to slavery. The stance she demonstrated has once again shown everyone the consciousness of freedom created by Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). Comrade Bêrîtan’s unique and unparalleled courage paved the way for women’s organization and militarization. Therefore, the truth of Bêrîtan is not only a history, a philosophy, and a path to a free life for us, but also a measure of life itself. Today, thousands of followers of Comrade Bêrîtan are fighting with this faith and determination under all difficult conditions and circumstances. Women are no longer just taking their place in the ranks of freedom; women all over the world are also taking a stand against the dominant male mentality, building on the legacy of this struggle. Heroic women like Bêrîtan, Ronahî, Zîlan, Aryen, and countless others have played a pioneering role in every stage of the Kurdish people’s liberation struggle since the beginning of the freedom struggle.
The foundations of women’s army continued with great courage and bravery, and the strong groundwork for great women’s revolutions was laid. That is why women achieved great successes in the revolutions they spearheaded. The clearest example of this was the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising led by women in Eastern Kurdistan. Women rose up en masse against all attacks and violence. Thanks to these great acts of resistance, women joined the ranks of the struggle and rewrote history, which had previously not been written in a way befitting women’s truth. The participation of all women was not only physical but also at the level of belief and determination. They sowed the seeds of an honorable life in the mountains and built their will and strength in the cities. They fought under all conditions and circumstances and never backed down. With this belief, they persistently achieved everything that the male mindset said was impossible. All the suppressed talents of women emerged once again with the development of their defensive power. Above all, it paved the way for the formation of the women’s army. Undoubtedly, the living conditions of guerrillas and all women who struggle are the most difficult. However, women’s belief in freedom developed a strong sense of resistance and determination.
Violence against women continues today under the patriarchal system. Therefore, every woman who joins the struggle for freedom is also taking revenge for this history of genocide and misogyny. Women are taking revenge for the oppression they have suffered in every way for thousands of years. This free life is revenge for all the poems, words, songs, art, and women’s lives that were taken from them. The free women’s army, which Leader Apo called a means of free life, was the harshest response to the dominant male military that has been carrying out massacres against women and children for years. This is why there are many ideological attacks against our struggle for freedom today. Special war policies are constantly being implemented to eliminate this ideology. They want to destroy this power in some way and say it is not the time of the guerrilla. Attacks and harassment against women in Iranian and Eastern Kurdistan cities continue unabated. In such a process, we cannot say that the time of self-defense is over. Therefore, women must ensure further participation in the struggle for freedom and insist on the line of resistance. The line that began with the Bêrîtans and grew with the Aryens will continue until the construction and victory of a peaceful and democratic society.
On this basis, we once again commemorate all the martyrs of the Kurdistan revolutionary struggle, embodied in the great martyr of the freedom struggle, Comrade Bêrîtan, bow before them, and renew our pledge to realize their dreams. We also celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the women’s army on behalf of all the women and peoples who resist and struggle. We declare that the free women’s army will be the force that protects all human values and the implementer of Leader Apo’s physical freedom.”