News Center- Thousands of women flocked to the streets in seven cities of North and East Syria today to celebrate the International Women’s Day and say “No” to genocidal attacks, occupation and the policies of isolation.

 Qamishlo

Women participated in the rally held in the Dirêcik village of Qamishlo’s Tirbespiyê town by wearing their traditional clothes. The opening speech of the rally was made by Kongra Star Spokesperson Rihan Loqo.

She began her speech by wishing a happy International Women’s Day to women all around the world. “On the day of resistance and struggle, we commemorate commander Sakîne Cansız and all our martyrs who lost their lives while fighting for freedom. Leader Apo (Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan) has been isolated for 25 years to destroy the women’s struggle for freedom. For this reason, women in Kurdistan and in the Middle East are targeted. Leader Apo said that the 21st century would be the century of women's freedom. As women, we will make the 21st century the century of women’s freedom. The revolution in Rojava was led by women and we will always follow the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi philosophy.”

Hasakah

The rally, which was held in Hasakah’s Sed Xerbi for the International Women’s Day, was participated by thousands of women from Shedadê, Hol, Til Berak, Til Temir and Dirbêsiyê towns. Wearing their traditional clothes, women chanted the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” slogan and held the photo of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

At the rally, Democratic Union Party (PYD) Co-chair Asya Abdullah made a speech.

Indicating that women of North and East Syria have achieved many gains thanks to the resistance of women and martyrs such as Sakîne Cansız, Şilan and Arîn, she said, “We thank them for paving the way for freedom. They made the supreme sacrifice to save women and defeat oppression. Thanks to them we have reached this level.”

Shahba

International Women’s Day was celebrated in the Ehdas town of Shahba with the motto, “We will defeat the policies of genocide, occupation and isolation with the free will of women.” Thousands of women of Afrin and Shahba participated in the celebration by wearing their traditional clothes.

Making a speech at the celebration, Kongra Star member Rîhan Elo said, “Our leader says that the women's revolution is the revolution of thousands of people. We believe that the women's revolution will achieve its goal with the will of women.”

Aleppo

A rally has been held at the Newroz Square in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood to celebrate the International Women’s Day with the participation of hundreds of women.

Fehîma Hemo, coordinating member of Kongra Star made a speech at the rally. In her speech, she said that the struggle of Kurdish women and Middle Eastern women moved forward thanks to “Abdullah Öcalan, leader of free women.”

The rally ended after the performances of the Hilala Zêrin Cultural Movement and the Cemil Horo Culture and Art Center.

Kobanê

The celebrations for the International Women’s Day started in Kobanê with a march to the Kobanê Park with the participation of thousands of women wearing their traditional clothes. After a minute’s silence, women began to celebrate their day.

Zozan Bekir, coordinating member of Kongra Star, made a speech at the rally. “We celebrate the International Women’s Day today with the ideology of leader Apo, the 'jin jiyan azadi' philosophy and the women's struggle. Thanks to the resistance of women in North and East Syria, women unite against the patriarchal system that aims to deprive women of their freedom. We once again say no to slavery, occupation, violence, femicide, oppression and restrictions. Free women will free their societies. We are determined to struggle for freedom.”