On Saturday, hundreds of women took part in a powerful demonstration in the besieged city of Kobanê to defend the achievements of the women’s revolution in Rojava. The protest was held under the slogan: “With the will of the resisting woman, we defend revolution and existence.”
The rally was organized by Kongra Star, the umbrella organization of the Kurdish women’s movement in North and East Syria. The march started at Free Woman Square and proceeded through the city center. Participants carried flags in the colors of the Kurdish movement and banners bearing slogans such as “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) and “Long live the resistance of Rojava.”
“Women have the power to create change’
At Şehîd Egîd Square, the demonstrators held a minute of silence. Afterwards, Xenaf Xelîl, a member of the coordination of Kongra Star, addressed the crowd and said: “Women have repelled occupiers and conspirators. They have shown the world that women have the power to create change.”
Xelîl condemned the attack on a fighter of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), whose braid was cut off by a mercenary of the so-called Syrian transitional government during the genocidal onslaught on the Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo last month. “There are millions of braids. Women began this revolution with their braids, and they are still fighting with them,” she said.
Slogans as a symbol of resistance
The demonstration ended with loud chants of the slogans “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” and “Berxwedan Jiyan e” (Resistance is Life). The participants emphasized their unwavering determination to defend the Rojava Revolution and women’s self-determination against all attacks.