BERÇEM CÛDÎ

Kobanê- The Kurdish women’s movement announced their army in the memory of Bêrîtan (Gulnaz Karataş) in 1992 to form their self-defense against the patriarchal and reactionary mentality.

Each living creature has its own defense system. The defense system of human beings is both social and biological. Self-defense is a must for human beings just as bread and water. Self-defense is a matter of existence and non-existence. Women have a strong instinct of self-defense and self-protection since they face many obstacles and attacks. Kurdish women have led the struggle to defend themselves and their country throughout history. Their leadership has become permanent with the Freedom Movement and the ideology of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan. In 1992, Kurdish women announced their army in 1992 with the philosophy of “Jin, jiyan, azadi (Women, Life, Freedom) to honor the memory of fighter Bêrîtan. The army was a new beginning for the Kurdish Women’s Freedom Movement.

A new model

The seeds planted 30 years ago have come into flower, particularly after the Revolution in Rojava. The women’s army has reached a new stage. The army is at the frontlines of battles and carries out very important actions. Women also play an important role in defense forces and units. They defend life in Kurdistan Mountains, cities and all regions. Therefore, Kurdish women have built a new model for women with their armed struggle, army, defense forces and units. They have become a role model for women of the Middle East and women living all over the world in the 21st century.

Zozan Şêxî, member of the Internal Security Forces-Women in the Euphrates Region, spoke to NuJINHA to mark the 30th anniversary of the Kurdish women’s army.

“Martyr Bêrîtan is our pioneer”

“October is an important and meaningful month for us. We, as women, have achieved many gains in the military thanks to martyr Bêrîtan. Fighter Bêrîtan is an iconic figure for women fighters and commanders. For this reason, the women’s army and women’s armed struggle is important for us. The women of Rojava have organized themselves in politics, social life and the army. They have played an important role in military and self-defense forces,” Zozan Şêxî told us.

“They crowned with the revolution”

Stating that self-defense does not mean only the military struggle for them, Zozan Şêx said, “It also means the struggle for women’s philosophy, life and freedom. We protect women by using different ways and methods. By protecting women’s philosophy, we make women achievements, thoughts, identity and values permanent. We began to organize our self-defense model, military struggle and unity with the struggle of Martyr Bêrîtan. The women crowned their struggle with the women’s revolution started in Rojava on July 19. Now, Kurdish women have an idea about the defense that leader Apo mentioned.”

“We will protect our revolution”

Highlighting that they, as members of the Internal Security Forces-Women, YPJ and HPC-Women, organize themselves according to their own principles and rules, Zozan Şêx concluded her speech by saying, “Every woman is an army that protects the standards and values of society. Our main duty is to protect the legacy of martyr Bêrîtan and to share this legacy with all women. Therefore, we will fight the patriarchal mentality that destroys women’s rights, and we will be the defense forces of women’s resistance. In addition, we will protect our revolution, led by thousands of women.”