BERJÎN KARA

Makhmour-Self-defense is a natural right of every living thing in the universe. Protection builds structures and bridges among people, nature and existence. Thus, all the parts complete each other. Every living thing has its own protection method by smelling or feeling. Human beings use their minds to protect themselves.

On April 15, 2024, the Kurdistan Women’s Liberation Party (PAJK) and the Kurdistan Women’s Communities (Komalên Jinên Kurdistan-KJK) released a joint statement calling on women all around the world to use their self-defense. “Women can protect themselves if they believe in their organization and self-defense to get rid of the nation state, the patriarchal authority and system,” the statement said.

In an interview with NuJINHA, Songül Güler, coordinating member of İştar Assembly and Jineology Committee in the Makhmour refugee camp, talked about the campaign launched by the PAJK and KJK. “Women should struggle to tear down the oppressive pillars of capitalism,” she told us.

 ‘In such a period, self-defense is vital against all kinds of attacks’

At the beginning of her speech, Songül Güler expressed her support for the call of the PAJK and the KJK. “The Third World War has intensified its violence. Serious wars are now being waged in different countries. In such a period, self-defense is vital against all kinds of attacks. We know what war means; attacks, destruction, annihilation and plunder. These wars are different from each other. Not only military wars but also wars on all facets of life are being waged. The built civilization system is actually an attack on women. Women are subjected to sexist culture, language, religion and violence in all spheres of life, including economy and politics. Women are the most affected by these wars. Their will, identity and efforts are invisible. They have been seen as a property and servant at their homes. I mean that a definite role and mission is imposed on women; they must marry, have children and serve men.”

‘The movement is founded on this philosophy and ideology’

The philosophy and ideology of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is based on women’s freedom against the mindset aiming at enslaving women, Songül Güler said. “The so-called capitalist system treats women as slaves, selling the bodies, thoughts, souls and brains of women piece by piece. Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) says that a country cannot be free unless the women are free. In other words, the Kurdish Women’s Freedom Movement is founded on this philosophy and ideology.”

‘Women should become conscious and organize themselves’

It is important to understand the system based on democracy, which brings women’s self-defense to the fore against attacks, Songül Güler emphasized in her speech. “I must organize myself so as not to get hurt. I must know myself and get organized if I do not want my soul and body to be taken from me by someone else. If I do not want my children to be killed in wars, I must organize myself. If I do not want my city and my country to be occupied and my people to be oppressed, I must organize myself. I mean women must organize themselves. Women should become conscious and organize themselves against all kinds of attacks.”

‘Women should struggle to tear down the oppressive pillars of capitalism’

At the end of her speech, Songül Güler pointed out that women must organize against the ongoing wars that destroy people, nature and societies, and said: “The capitalism system sponges on women. As women, we should struggle to tear down the oppressive pillars of capitalism or it will destroy us. We should support the campaign launched by the PAJK and the KJK to protect ourselves, our streets, our neighborhoods and our cities. We should use our self-defense. Only in this way can we liberate ourselves and our society.”