The Women’s Press Union (Yekîtiya Ragihandina Jinê – YRJ) is holding its 4th conference under the slogan “By strengthening YRJ, we will become the voice of the women’s revolution” at the Rojava University Conference Hall in Qamishlo.
The conference hall was decorated with posters of Leader Apo and portraits of Gurbetelli Ersöz, Sakine Cansız, Deniz Fırat, Cihan Bilgin, Axîn Amûdê, Eylül Nurhilat, Arin Cûdî, Agirî Yılmaz, Nûjiyan Erhan, Gulistan Tara, Dilovan Gever, Hêro Bahadîn, Şîlan Botan, Şîlan Ezgî, Rosîda Mardin, Rohenda Xemgîn, Şevîn Bîngol, Roza Rênas Amed, Şîlan Baqî, Sarya Onur, Şaristan Asmîn, Dilîşan Îbîş, Koçerîn Rojîn, and Avrîn Mahsûm.
A message sent by Abdullah Öcalan to the Gurbetelli Ersöz Awards ceremony held on 8 October was also displayed in the hall. It read: “Gurbetelli’s memory is a guiding legacy for all of us. Her determination, resolve, and struggle for a free life place a responsibility on everyone. Keeping Gurbetelli’s memory alive and passing on her ideas and struggle to future generations is our duty. Today, once again, I remember her with respect, longing, and gratitude. Her light continues to illuminate the path of the free press.”
The conference brought together 150 delegates, including the Co-Chair of the Autonomous Administration’s Foreign Relations Department Îlham Ehmed, women writers, representatives of Kongra Star, women’s organizations from the Autonomous Administration, and members of the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) and TEV-DEM.
In her opening speech, YRJ spokesperson Arîn Siwêd paid tribute to the martyrs of freedom and said: “The conference was supposed to be held every two years, but we couldn’t organize it due to the situation in the region and in Syria. Today, a genocide targeting the identity of women is taking place, both in the region and across Syria. This once again shows the importance of founding YRJ. As YRJ, we have courageously exposed attacks against Alevi and Druze women. We not only carry the identity of journalists but also that of women. Today, women can lead the peace process and be its voice. I would like to remember our fallen women comrades; we have reached this day thanks to their labor. YRJ began with 50 women, and today it has 500 members. We are growing day by day and continue to uphold our motto: ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom).”
After the opening speech, five members were elected to the conference council.
Following a video presentation about YRJ’s work, messages from the Autonomous Administration and Kongra Star will be read, a four-year activity report will be presented, organizational status and regulations will be discussed, and the conference will conclude with the election of the new assembly.
The founding of YRJ was first announced at the conference held on 28 June 2020, with the participation of 86 delegates. Today, the organization’s membership has reached 557.