The internationalist alliance “Women Defend Rojava” launched a new campaign on Tuesday to defend the achievements of the women’s revolution in Rojava. Under the slogan “for a free and democratic life,” activists call for protecting and making visible the structures and rights of women built over recent years.
Attacks on women as a weapon of war
The background is attacks on women and their organizations during the offensive of the Syrian transitional government against the autonomous administration areas in January, during which, according to Women Defend Rojava, women were deliberately targeted. “These attacks against women are a weapon of war aimed at oppressing the entire society,” the statement said. Women were killed, tortured, and abducted, while their institutions were destroyed or looted. The campaign views these developments not as isolated acts of violence but as a deliberate strategy. “With the attack on women, the entire society, a free life, and a free future are being attacked,” the initiators emphasize.
Achievements are not up for negotiation
At the same time, the activists point to political developments since the agreement of January 29, which foresees a ceasefire and the integration of the autonomous administration into state structures. Since then, the conflict has partly shifted from the military sphere to the negotiating table. However, the alliance does not see a fundamental change in political attitudes. It criticizes that actors previously involved in attacks are now part of the negotiations.
The central point of contention remains the future of women’s rights. While progress has been made in other areas such as military issues or infrastructure, women’s rights have not yet been secured in the agreement. “The consequences of the agreement for women’s lives remain uncertain,” the text states. At the same time, the activists make it clear that the achievements so far are not up for negotiation. “The achievements of more than 15 years of struggle will not be given up,” they emphasize, highlighting the central role of women’s resistance in Rojava.
Weekly contributions on different areas of women’s organizing
The campaign aims to make this perspective visible. Weekly contributions are planned on various areas of women’s organizing, along with video messages from the region. In these, women will report on the current state of negotiations, the structures they have built, and what specifically needs to be defended now. In conclusion, the initiators call for international participation, stating that the defense of the women’s revolution is not a local issue but concerns women worldwide. “Bijî Şoreşa Jinan” (Long live the women’s revolution),” emphasizes Women Defend Rojava. The slogan of resistance remains central: “Jin Jiyan Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom).
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