Women guerrillas in the mountains of Kurdistan celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March. The guerrillas expressed both their joy and their determination to continue the struggle for freedom with great enthusiasm and high morale.
Zozan Çewlîg, Commander of the YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) Central Headquarters, also joined the celebrations and held a meeting with YJA Star guerrillas. Many important issues were discussed, ranging from the Peace and Democratic Society process to the attacks against Rojava.
Speaking here, Çewlîg began her remarks by commemorating all women who have been killed and stated: “We confront history not only on behalf of Kurdish women but on behalf of all women, and we hold the system of power accountable. As all comrades know, our struggle began with the name of Sakine Cansız, but today the women’s struggle—guided by the spirit of ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’—is becoming a daily struggle for equality, democracy and a free life, not only in North Kurdistan but across the four parts of Kurdistan, in all fields and throughout the Middle East. Long live the women’s freedom struggle and the women’s revolution. Long live the Democratic Nation. Martyrs are immortal. Jin, Jiyan, Azadî. Long live leader Öcalan.”
Şafak Aryen, another Commander of the YJA Star Central Headquarters, emphasized that the current era has been defined as the age of women’s heroism through the long-term efforts of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. “The world war has once again placed Kurdistan at its center and has turned into a very deep conflict. Although many forces are involved in this war, it essentially represents an ideological front. In essence, it is a war against the paradigm of Leader Öcalan. In the age of women’s heroism, the philosophy and standards of the free woman have emerged, defined together with the democratic nation as the identity of a free woman. The freedom model we are referring to has been built in Rojava. In response, the system is developing all kinds of attacks, and these attacks target the democratic sphere. Our philosophy is to take revenge on those responsible for violence against women. Building ourselves on the basis of democratic nation is the foundation of our struggle. We will honor the promises we made to our martyrs by building a free life, by maintaining our commitment to Leader Öcalan and by avenging all women.”
Commander Arjîn Dersîm began her speech by commemorating the fallen YJA Star guerrillas and martyrs who paid great sacrifices and continued: “Leader Öcalan called the era we are living in the age of women’s heroism. Many women whose names are written in history have become a sacrifice, a legacy, a history and a meaning that allowed us to reach today. Therefore, we welcome this era through the definition given by the leader and find its meaning in that definition. From the formation of women’s armed forces to earlier stages in the history of women’s freedom, many pioneers, such as comrades Sara, Azîme, Delal, Gulçiya, Berçem, and more recently, comrades Ruken, Sara and Asya have been the owners of resistance. We continue our struggle in the footsteps of these comrades. As women’s defense forces, we stand for women’s identity, women’s life and the meaning of women’s existence. The greetings sent to us by the leader increased our enthusiasm even further. As long as attacks against women, violence, the culture of rape and the special war policies implemented by the male-dominated state mentality continue, we as women’s defense forces have the mission of resisting this violence with dignity.”
Commander Batufa Çekdar made the following evaluation regarding the concept of “communal comradeship”: “Leader Öcalan said, ‘I send my greetings to my communal comrades.’ As women, we are among those who most wish to be the communal comrades of Leader Öcalan. All our efforts are to become members of his philosophical commune. Leader Öcalan often says, ‘I want to live a philosophical life with women and discuss philosophy with women.’ We want to follow this path and continue our struggle with this responsibility. With this spirit, we believe we will take to the streets and build our democratic commune.”
Vejîn Dersîm stated that they will continue the struggle with great determination to be worthy of Öcalan and the martyrs, saying: “If necessary, we will form a circle of dance around Leader Öcalan, and if necessary, a circle of fire to ensure his physical freedom. This historic day was reached through great sacrifices. The Women’s Freedom Movement is the continuation of this legacy. We will continue our struggle for Leader Öcalan’s physical freedom and respond to all forms of violence and oppression against women. Our struggle is not only for Kurdish women but for all women in the world. As Kurdish women, we consider ourselves fortunate to take part in PJAK and the PKK. We will continue our struggle with the same enthusiasm. I congratulate all women, the mothers of martyrs and the mothers of guerrillas on 8 March.”
Commander Jînda Ronahî said: “They wanted to destroy women, but women were reborn from their ashes and are now recreating life. They are building resistance and hope for peace against fascism, all forms of violence and oppression. Like the month of March and the nature of Kurdistan, they nurture light, hope, the unity of peoples and society. The excitement for a free life has grown among all our comrades, and this creates great enthusiasm for us.”
The celebrations of YJA Star guerrillas, which began in the morning with great enthusiasm and excitement, continued until noon with programs, dances, theatre, songs and various preparations. The celebrations ended in the evening with the lighting of candles.
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