NORŞİN EBDÎ

Kobanê- Women of North and East Syria hold activities and events to celebrate International Women’s Day every year as a day for women seeking democracy, peace and freedom. This year, they will celebrate their day with the enthusiasm of the “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, the architect of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ philosophy.

NuJINHA spoke to Peyman Alloush, coordinating member of Kongra Star, about the importance of International Women’s Day and the ongoing attacks on North and East Syria.

‘Abdullah Öcalan has treaded a different path for women’

March 8 is the day when women all over the world voice their demands for victory, freedom, equality and democracy, Peyman Alloush emphasized. “We learned the true meaning and importance of International Women’s Day thanks to Abdullah Öcalan, who has treaded a different path for women to achieve freedom. Therefore, we should talk about what leader Abdullah Öcalan has provided to women and the principles of his ideology based on women’s freedom while talking about IWD.”

‘Women resist and defend their land’

The status of women has been re-established thanks to the life philosophy of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Peyman Alloush noted. “Today, women participate in all facets of life, including politics, military and social life. As leader Öcalan said, the 21st century will be the century of women's freedom. Thanks to the victories achieved by women throughout history, March 8 is not just a day of celebration but also a day of resistance for us. Women of North and East Syria celebrate their day every year with the spirit of resistance. Women in North and East Syria have been waging an important struggle for many years, and we have recently been going through a critical process. The Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions have been attacking North and East Syria, the Tishreen Dam and the Qereqozax Bridge while the fighters of the YPJ and civilians have resisted and defended their land and their source of energy. This year, we will celebrate IWD with the spirit of this historic resistance.”

‘We will build a free Syria’

This year, the women of North and East Syria will celebrate International Women’s Day with the motto, “Towards a democratic Syria with the philosophy of Jin, Jiyan, Azadî”. “Following the fall of the Assad regime, change becomes possible. However, women have once again been marginalized by Syria’s transitional government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). All women across Syria must be organized and educated under the guidance of Kurdish women and the women's revolution. As Kongra Star, we have a duty to protect women and to demand the rights of every woman in Syria. As women, we will build a free, democratic, pluralistic and decentralized Syria together.”

‘Women will bring peace, democracy and victory’

Peyman Alloush emphasized that women of North and East Syria would welcome IWD with the spirit of resistance and struggle. “Women in the region join the civilian vigil held on the Tishreen Dam to protest their gains against the attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions on the dam. Women fighting the patriarchal mindset will bring peace, democracy and victory.”