Shengal- Bêrîtan (Gülnaz Karataş), one of leaders of the Kurdish Women’s Freedom Movement and one of the founders of the Kurdish women’s army, was commemorated in Shengal on her 30th death anniversary.

A seminar was held by the Yazidi Free Women's Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzîdî-TAJÊ) and Sinûnê Women’s Assembly. The seminar began after observing a minute’s silence for Bêrîtan and those who lost their lives while fighting for freedom. Then, halvah was distributed to those who attended the seminar.

“There thousands women like Bêrîtan”

Rihan Digor, member of the Yazidi Free Women's Movement, said that thousands of women have been fighting in battlefields with the spirit of Bêrîtan. “There are thousands of Yazidi women who struggle with the spirit of Bêrîtan and follow in her footsteps. Thousands of Yazidi women killed themselves not to be taken captive by the enemy. We say that we will not bow down to the enemy, we will fight to the end. We have only one way to go; follow the path of Bêrîtan.”

“The resistance of Yazidi women continues”

“The resistance of Yazidi women continues,” TAJÊ member Hediye Hesen said, “Today, the stance exhibited by Yazidi women is the same stance exhibited by Bêrîtan. During the genocide committed against Yazidis, hundreds of women followed the footsteps of Bêrîtan and did not accept surrender. They sacrificed their lives for their faith and freedom.”