Guerillas emphasized the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, stressing that the struggle for women’s freedom has become a struggle for all humanity.
Arjîn of the Free Women’s Units (YJA Star), Argeş Delîla of the Martyr Sefkan Academy and Awazê Çiya, and Ismail Xabûr of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG) spoke to ANF on the occasion of 25 November.
Guerilla Arjîn stated that they have fought against the male-dominated mindset in line with the ideas and philosophy of President Öcalan. Guerilla Arjîn said: “Women are still being murdered every day by men, and femicides continue. The reason for this is the lack of sufficient struggle against the male-dominated mentality. Violence against women is also violence against society. The male-dominated mindset tries to destroy the identity and essence of society itself. We must be stronger against this mentality, expand our struggle and protect life more fiercely. If harassment and murders targeting women are still continuing in society today, this is a very serious problem. We, too, must be more determined in our struggle and organize more strongly against the male-dominated mentality.”
Murder is not only physical destruction
Argeş Delîla said, “A murder is not only physical destruction. People must understand this truth well. If a person’s soul, heart and emotions are destroyed, this is also a form of killing. Every day, the souls and emotions of women are being murdered by the male-dominated mentality. Women are free beings and inherently carry the spirit of freedom. Life and social existence were created through women’s hands. Therefore, when women are targeted, existence and life themselves are targeted.”
Women can prevent violence
Argeş Delîla also said, “In his Manifesto, President Öcalan focuses intensely on the issue of femicides and offers powerful perspectives. He traces the roots of the problems between women and men back to history and analyzes them accordingly. He especially highlights the importance and organization of women’s struggle. Of course, when women strengthen themselves organizationally and philosophically, they can prevent violence. All movements fighting for women’s rights should draw conclusions from President Öcalan’s perspectives and proceed accordingly. If the problem is not understood correctly, as President Öcalan explains, then it becomes impossible to develop a solution. He clearly reveals how the harmony between women and men was disrupted throughout history.”
Correct analysis and confrontation
Argeş Delîla added: “Thousands of schools and educational centers must be established. Without education, it is impossible to recognize mistakes or correct them. Both genders must understand themselves and correctly analyze the reality of power and the state. If this analysis and confrontation are done properly, change and transformation become possible. The fundamental aim of Kurdish artists must also be women’s freedom. We will strengthen ourselves with President Öcalan’s philosophy and struggle against the male-dominated mentality on the basis of true comradeship.”
Real struggle is organization
Ismail Xabûr stated that violence against women is also violence against nature, life and humanity, said: “Today, the Women’s Freedom Movement in Kurdistan and across the world rises on a strong ideological foundation. This foundation was created by the voices of women who resisted violence in the mountains and in the cities. The movement is not merely symbolic as an idea or an alternative; it has become an alternative that fundamentally rejects the patriarchal mentality of the capitalist system. The capitalist system has carried out major attacks on women. The divisions it creates for women in artistic, cultural and social spheres are designed to prevent women from living freely and expressing their own reality. The capitalist system turns women into commodities.
President Öcalan’s philosophy shows that the free woman is a symbol for all humanity. The philosophy shaped in the mountains of Kurdistan by self-sacrificing women such as Zîlan, Sema, Zekiye Alkan, Bêrîtan and many others demonstrates that resistance against violence is the truest path. The Freedom Movement has strengthened the struggle carried out in Kurdistan and enabled society to question its own reality. The struggle for women’s freedom has become a struggle for all humanity. Real struggle is only possible through organization along the line of the free woman.”
Women are standing everywhere
Ismail Xabûr continued: “Everyone must question themselves and give the right answers. The more accurate the self-questioning is, the more meaningful the result will be. Women’s struggle is a fundamental struggle that defines what it means to be human. Anyone who wants to wage a real struggle must first position themselves correctly. Today, in the mountains of Kurdistan everywhere, there is a great struggle. Women stand tall in every place. In Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat), in Rojava, in Northern Kurdistan (Bakur), the women’s struggle is growing on the basis of President Öcalan’s philosophy.”
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