Sheida Ari

The universe and existence intertwine in an eternal dialectic—there can be no universe without existence, and no existence without a universe. They are bound together like flesh to bone, each reinforcing and completing the other. Because humans live at the heart of this dialectic, they remain unable to fully grasp its magnificence or witness its duality in all its splendor.

When we utter the word “universe,” the mind immediately envisions majesty and beauty. And when we return to the word “existence,” our very being becomes the proof of the universe itself. Thus, the inseparable relationship between them emerges clearly: the universe is affirmed through existence, and existence is affirmed through the universe—an indivisible and irreducible unity.

 

Woman as the Center of the Universe, and Man as a Planet Orbiting Her

If we try to define the universe in simple terms, we find it already residing within the human being. Every person carries within them an internal dialectic composed of both positive and negative aspects. Life can become a paradise when lived wisely, or a hell when mismanaged. Balancing this duality lies entirely in human hands, and thus each individual is in constant pursuit of a meaningful life.

Every person in society reflects their own unique image. And life itself is a tangible reality that every living being strives to attain. To truly understand the nature of life, we must first comprehend the essence of woman, for she holds the key to the mystery of existence.

In his later writings, Abdullah Öcalan offered a profound definition of woman: “Woman is the universe, and man is merely a planet orbiting around her.” In other words, woman is the center and essence of life. Yet this truth has been overturned and marginalized throughout history. Dominant powers have forced women behind the curtain, while male-centered mindsets shaped history and even defined the concept of truth itself, depriving women of freedom and alienating them from their own essence.

Today, man has become the axis of life, while woman has been pushed to the margins. Thus, men have been granted the authority to commit violence, murder, rape, and exploitation—while patriarchal systems silence any opposing voice, proclaiming “long live the man” without question. As a result, woman becomes the perpetual victim, and man the uncontested authority.

Women are unable to step outside their homes without a man, as if their existence depends on someone else. Although life is born from their wombs, they themselves receive nothing in return—producing existence while simultaneously being marginalized by it.

Why, then, is the source of life denied? How can a woman’s existence be severed from its essence? Only by contemplating the meaning of life and believing in its truth can we learn to live its authentic form. The word “woman” is deeply rooted in the concept of “life.” She is its natural center and fundamental core.

To understand this truth, we must return to the earliest moments of history. Before the rise of shamans, wise women served as protectors, teachers, leaders, and the foundation of social life. But as the jealous male entered the stage of power, society began excluding women. Over time, their strength and knowledge were stripped away, while men became the designated center and women pushed to the margins—separated from their natural role as the source of life.

With the construction of the ziggurats, the marginalization of women intensified. The Sumerian priests seized all knowledge originally derived from the mother-woman and used it to consolidate their authority. From that moment on, women were enslaved and removed from the essence of true life. As generations passed, their condition only worsened.

The dominant male created new forms of attack against women across eras, until she became nothing more than an object. Once commodified, it became easy for men to declare, “Woman is mine; I may do with her as I wish.” Thus, she was used in private homes, displayed in markets, reduced to a household servant, and subjected daily to violence, humiliation, and harassment.

 

Women Between Patriarchal Dominance and the Struggle for Survival

The dominant male preserves his authority through many tools, the most widespread being violence against mothers, sisters, wives, and others. Violence is his primary weapon—physical, psychological, social, or structural. To confront this reality, we must understand the nature of violence, its roots, and its impact not only on women, but also on communities and children.

Violence extends far beyond physical harm—it shapes future generations. Today, many girls endure physical abuse and harassment, stripping them of the ability to imagine a bright future and filling their lives with brokenness and a sense of inferiority.

At its core, violence is the use of force—physical or mental. Anything that harms a living being or nature is a form of violence. It may be intentional, coercive, or carried out through intermediaries to conceal the perpetrator’s identity.

Globally, violence is used as a tool of dominance and control. It is a means of pressure through which the powerful maintain authority over the weak. Understanding the roots of this phenomenon exposes the essence of the patriarchal system, which treats what does not belong to it as private property, opening the door to countless forms of abuse. This is the logic of authoritarian power—terrified of losing its legacy, it clings to violence as a defensive shield.

Although many legal systems define violence—murder, assault, harassment, trafficking—much of this remains ink on paper. Limiting the understanding of violence to its physical form produces an incomplete picture. Violence changes shape depending on context, culture, and time.

In the Middle East, all forms of violence manifest clearly, especially male dominance over women. But the issue is not exclusive to this region—it exists in Asia, Africa, Europe, and everywhere women are targeted. Simply put, women are the most vulnerable group to violence worldwide.

The fundamental goal of patriarchy is to break women’s will, suppress their ideas, and erase their long history of existence—ensuring that men remain at the center of power.

Violence leaves deep scars on a woman’s personality. The dominant male seeks to erase her existence and deny her essence. For centuries, women have faced this reality until they appear to be in conflict with their own being. Violence does not only shape a woman’s life—it may push her toward suicide. Without knowledge and awareness of history, women face lives full of suffering and defeat.

This violence affects not only women but society as a whole, even extending to unborn children. When a mother suffers emotionally, her child is impacted before birth, making violence a transgenerational phenomenon.

Where women are free, society is free. Where women are oppressed, society is constrained. Thus, the effects of violence on women and society are profound and visible everywhere. Violence produces internal collapse at intellectual, emotional, and physical levels, making organization and self-defense essential for women to withstand patriarchy.

 

Roots of Violence and Its Psychological and Social Consequences

Across the world, women are the most targeted by violence—physical and otherwise. Women are killed, burned, raped, and even sold. In countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India, these violations remain widespread, and many women continue to face harmful practices like female genital mutilation.

Physical violence includes assault, murder, and all forms of bodily harm. To understand its roots, we must return to early history. Natural societies once defended their values collectively, but the patriarchal system transformed this defense into violent oppression against women and communities to preserve male-centered intellectual and physical control.

Patriarchy began with the rise of shamanic organization and has persisted to this day, making violence its primary tool for subjugating women and dominating society.

Are women killed through specific methods? In reality, according to dialectical reasoning and the duality of the universe, there is no inherent need for killing or coercion. All living beings exist harmoniously. However, today’s reality is different—as violence against women has become both normalized and systematized.

It is no longer shocking to hear of a woman who sold herself or was forced into the streets to survive. In natural societies there was no buying or selling, but today woman has become the easiest commodity to trade. In many households, men control power while being unable to provide even basic needs, resorting instead to the exploitation or sale of their wives.

Psychological violence is among the most dangerous forms of abuse. It includes threats, intimidation, cruelty, manipulation, and anything that breaks a person internally. It is inflicted on children and women alike, leaving deep emotional wounds.

Psychological violence stems from patriarchal heritage—men built their authority on knowledge originally derived from women. They claim science as their exclusive property, though men exist only because of women, who form an inseparable part of the universe’s dialectic.

Women are the essence of the universe, and any small movement can either harm or benefit them. For this reason, women face immense psychological pressure daily—from families, schools, workplaces, and society at large. Pressure has become an integral part of their existence.

Tragically, the dominant man refuses to recognize his responsibility, always blaming women. Women, the most delicate and sensitive beings on earth, resemble butterflies offering themselves to flame for truth. Women do the same in their daily lives. Yet authoritarian systems have blinded societies so they cannot perceive this truth.

 

Women Between Patriarchal Dominance and the Philosophy of Freedom

Sexual assault is the imposition of a forced relationship upon a woman without her consent. Authoritarian systems have normalized such acts in favor of men, to the point where they often occur without punishment because they serve male interests. Thus, women face this reality wherever they exist.

Many women attempt to defend themselves within their communities, yet remain trapped by tradition, unable to break free. In reality, the greatest pressure on women comes from within society itself. Universities, schools, workplaces, and even homes—every environment exposes women to harassment from husbands, fathers, brothers, or others.

Sexual violence leaves devastating long-term effects on women and on society. Its psychological and social consequences cannot be erased easily, as they ripple across generations.

Domestic violence remains one of the most widespread forms of abuse globally. Women are often killed by the very people closest to them—fathers, husbands, brothers, or other relatives. In many cases, the crime is committed simply because a woman violated a norm or tradition—while men routinely violate those same norms without consequence.

In reality, it is men who violate ethical values completely, yet women who are crushed and victimized. When women’s issues remain unresolved, society’s issues remain unresolved—because they share the same root.

Today, violence is justified under the banner of “honor,” particularly in tribal societies where honor killings remain shockingly common.

Protecting and empowering women is the essential foundation for confronting violence and oppression. Yet in many societies, women are left under the authority of state and community systems that claim to protect them while enforcing male-centered laws that grant men decision-making power.

Therefore, women must not remain under anyone’s guardianship or wait for rights to be granted. They must defend themselves and confront every form of injustice. Through awareness and organization, women can resist oppression and pave the way toward freedom.

This spirit is embodied in the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” —“Woman, Life, Freedom.”
Women have united with one voice, affirming that they possess the strength and will to reclaim their heritage and break free from cycles of subordination.

The unity and determination of women prove that they are capable of rewriting their own history—not as victims, but as essential creators of a freer and more just world.