As part of the Global Action Days, on 31 January and 1 February, Women Defend Rojava and RiseUp4Rojava called upon “all women and democratic forces to join actions under the slogan “Women Defend Rojava” to defend the women’s revolution!”
In a call the two groups said: “Today, all Kurdish, Arab, Armenian and Assyrian women, the fighters of the YPJ, Kongra Star, HPC Jin, Bet Nahrain, and all of society stand united, prepared to defend their hard-won achievements. Without the liberation of women, there can be no liberation of society!
These attacks were met with a massive wave of solidarity, with marches, demonstrations, and caravans. Thousands of women braided their hair as a symbol: for every braid cut, a hundred new ones are woven. Together we are weaving the revolution!
We call on everybody to take to the streets on January 31 to demonstrate to the international public that we are one in our struggle for a life in dignity. Let us defend the women’s revolution together; it is not only a hope for the Middle East but for the entire world.”
The call added: “Let us mobilize on 1 February. Protests and solidarity statements by broad sectors of society around the world have broken the silence surrounding the situation in Rojava and sparked an international wave of solidarity. We call on people everywhere to take part in protests and solidarity actions on February 1 to demand an immediate end to the attacks on Rojava and the siege on Kobane, to pressure the international community to act, and to secure political and legal recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES).
Every action counts. Take a position for dignity, freedom, and solidarity. Let us stand together against oppression, show that we will not remain silent, and make it clear that Rojava is not alone in its struggle for peace, democracy, and self-determination.”