Makhmour- This year, women all over the world will take to the streets on March 8 to voice their demands against all forms of gender-based violence, the patriarchal mindset, genocidal attacks and injustice by chanting the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” slogan. In the Makhmour Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp (Makhmour Refugee Camp), women are ready for International Women’s Day.

Women have played important roles in the camp for 30 years. Since March 8, 2023, they have been on the frontline of the resistance against the patriarchal mindset, the Turkish attacks, the ambitions and obstacles of the KDP and the attacks of the Iraqi government. In an interview with NuJINHA, Edîbe Paksoy, a teacher at the Martyr Jiyan High School, talked about the importance of March 8 and the one-year struggle of the women in the camp.

‘It is based on women’s freedom’

Indicating that March 8, International Women’s Day, is an important day for all women, she said, “Women garment workers in New York held a protest for their rights. They were attacked and then killed in a fire at the factory. Since then, women have been taking to the streets on March 8. Women's rights were guaranteed when leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) founded the PKK. Setting off with the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' slogan, leader Apo said, ‘a country can't be free unless the women are free’. Thus, women led the revolution in Rojava. Our freedom movement is based on women’s freedom.”

‘Women play a leading role in all our institutions’

Speaking about the role of women in the Makhmour Refugee Camp, she said, “As women, who grew up and struggle with the thoughts and the philosophy of leader Apo, we are aware of how women’s freedom is important. In the camp, women have been waging an active struggle for years; there has been a great resistance in the camp for 30 years and women have played the most important role in this resistance. Women play a leading role in all our institutions. Women can be more successful when they do what they love.”

‘Women will celebrate IWD with the spirit of struggle’

Edîbe Paksoy concluded her speech saying, “Despite all the attacks, women have achieved many successes in the camp for 30 years thanks to the thoughts and the philosophy of leader Apo. In the camp, women will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 with the spirit of struggle. We wish a happy International Women’s Day to all women.”