ŞÊRÎN MUHAMED

Qamishlo- Women still have a long way to go to achieve freedoms, rights and equality. NuJINHA interviewed Remziye Mihemed, Co-chair of the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) in North and East Syria, Moroccan human rights activist Khadija Ryadi and Sudanese human rights activist Ahlam Nasser about women’s struggle for freedom, rights and equality.

 ‘The revolution led by women in Rojava has echoed all over the world’

“The revolution led by women in Rojava has echoed all over the world,” said Remziye Mihemed. “The women of North and East Syria started their organized struggle in 2005 by founding Yekîtiya Star. After holding its sixth congress in 2016, the name of Yekitiya Star was changed to its current name of Kongra Star. Following the revolution, Kurdish, Arab, Turkmen and Syriac women united under the umbrella of Kongra Star to protect and defend themselves.”

‘Women should strengthen their unity’

Kongra Star is an umbrella organization of all women’s organizations in North and East Syria, Remziye Mihemed emphasized, adding: “Syriac women hold their activities under the umbrella of the Syriac Women’s Union while Arab women under the umbrella of the Zenûbiya Women’s Community. Armenian women have many organizations and unions in northeastern Syria. The gains achieved by women in northeastern Syria have become a role model for women all over the world. Due to recent developments in the region, women should strengthen their unity. Not only women of North and East Syria, but also women all over the world, especially Syrian women, should strengthen their unity. Women of the MENA region must organize and unite against the policies that aim to marginalize their roles and status in society.”

‘We must make our dialogue stronger’

“The philosophy of ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ lights the path to women’s freedom,” Remziye Mihemed stressed. “Women in Iran rose up against the regime by chanting the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ slogan. Even women in India and Afghanistan rose up by chanting this slogan. This is not only a slogan but also a philosophy. As women in the MENA region, we must join hands and make our dialogue stronger to build a free and equal life.”

‘Women fight for their freedom’

“Women fight for their freedom,” said Moroccan human rights activist Khadija Ryadi. “Women must fight against the patriarchal mindset, all kinds of discrimination and humiliation. Now, women have their own press outlets, unions and organizations. They have played an important role in all facets of life to achieve their rights. They now have international organizations and networks to be in solidarity with each other.”

Khadija Ryadi also commented on the role of women in building peace. “Women play significant roles in peacebuilding efforts. As Moroccan women, we have participated in international conferences held by women to be in solidarity with each other.”

‘Women have struggled for their rights in all continents’

 “Women have struggled for their rights, freedoms and equality in all continents for centuries,” said Sudanese human rights activist Ahlam Nasser. “Since ancient times, peace, democracy and wars have been discussed in the world. The United Nations talk about peace, democracy, wars, and the equal rights of all people. There are many international conventions on political, civil, social and economic rights. Although many countries have ratified these conventions, women are still the most affected by conflict and wars because these countries do not implement the conventions.”

Speaking about the unending struggle of women, she said, “Despite all the barriers, women struggle for their rights, freedoms and to build an equal life. Women all over the world must unite and be in solidarity with each other because international solidarity is a must for women.”