The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), one of the Kurdish organizations operating in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat), released a statement titled “A New Architecture of Women’s Freedom in Eastern Kurdistan: From Jineology to Defense Organization” regarding the Women’s Defense Forces (HPJ). The statement noted that HPJ, which operates in Eastern Kurdistan, has emerged as one of the new structures within the region’s freedom movements, shaped on the basis of a synthesis of jineology, guerrilla struggle experience, and modern self-governance models. It emphasized that when its political, social, and military dimensions are examined, HPJ is not merely a military force; rather, it is a multi-layered project aimed at redefining the role of women in society, politics, and security.
Rebuilding women’s identity
The statement highlighted that, politically, HPJ operates within a framework influenced by the ideas of democratic confederalism and local self-governance, and said: “Within this structure, women are not regarded as a marginal element, but as primary actors in decision-making processes. Women’s assemblies, decision-making committees, and participatory mechanisms provide the ground for women to take a direct role in shaping policies. This model aims to develop a horizontal, participatory, and active understanding of democracy in contrast to the centralized and male-dominated structures of regional states. At the social level, HPJ focuses on developing women’s self-awareness and reconstructing women’s identity within the framework of jineology. Ideological, cultural, and social education is an important part of this structure. These educational processes address issues such as the historical oppression faced by women, the critique of patriarchal structures, and the redefinition of women’s role in society. This process aims to strengthen women’s self-confidence and enable them to take an active role in different spheres of social life. In addition, HPJ seeks to build networks of solidarity among women and to create a collective resistance against structural and domestic violence.”
Principle of legitimate self-defense
The statement pointed out that one of the most prominent aspects of HPJ is its military structure and included the following remarks: “As a defense organization, this structure is based on the principle of ‘legitimate self-defense.’ This principle refers to women’s right to defend themselves against all forms of violence and oppression. HPJ’s military structure is designed in a decentralized and flexible manner, allowing small and mobile units to operate effectively under different conditions. The military training provided within this framework is not limited to combat skills; it also includes psychological, tactical, and collective training. In this way, it aims to enable forces to make effective decisions under complex security conditions. In terms of programs aimed at protecting women in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan, HPJ adopts a multi-dimensional approach. First, it seeks to build defense capacity among local women through education and organization, reducing their vulnerability to violence originating from both the state and society. Second, it aims to document and make visible violations of women’s rights, raising awareness at both national and international levels, and exposing mechanisms of oppression. Third, it focuses on creating safe spaces for women, particularly in crisis areas, and ensuring their access to social and security support.”
A noteworthy experience to be examined
The statement concluded by noting that HPJ argues that the genuine protection of women cannot be achieved solely through military means but also requires deep transformations in cultural and social structures. It said: “For this reason, the organization focuses not only on military activities, but also on developing new discourses on women’s freedom through education, cultural transformation, and within the framework of jineology. This approach reflects a perspective that seeks to understand the complexity of women’s issues in the region and to produce comprehensive solutions. In general, HPJ can be evaluated as a hybrid model in which politics, society, and military structure converge toward a common goal: ensuring women’s freedom and security. Although this model faces serious challenges such as security pressures, lack of resources, and social constraints, it offers a notable and valuable experience in terms of women’s organization and the practical implementation of jineology.”
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