BERÇEM CÛDÎ

 

Kobanê- Kurdish women, who have been waging a struggle against the patriarchal mentality by adopting the ideology of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan, instill hope in women all over the world by starting an uprising Iran and Rojhilat Kurdistan with the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî ( English: Women, Life, Freedom)”. As it is well known, the first spark of the women's revolution was ignited in Kobanê, northeastern Syria, on July 19, 2012. Kurdish women have made history by waging an incredible resistance against ISIS. In the interview with NuJINHA, the women of Kobanê saluted the popular uprising that started in Iran and Rojhilat seven months ago.

 

‘Women of Rojhilat have risen up against oppression’

 Evîn Berewad noted that the women's revolution that started in Kobanê has now spread to Rojhilat and the whole world. Indicating that the women of Rojhilat have risen against oppression, she said, “The women of Rojhilat rose up by chanting ‘jin, jiyan, azadî’ because they face many attacks. While the resistance has been going on for seven months, the Iranian government uses all kinds of inhuman methods to extinguish the spark of revolution. It has poisoned hundreds of schoolgirls; it has arrested thousands of people for participating in the protests. Many protesters have been killed and some have been executed. The uprising must spread more so that this revolution will be a successful revolution.”

 

‘We will defend the women’s revolution despite the attacks’

Emphasizing that they paid a heavy price to achieve their gains, Evîn Berewad said, “As women, we paid a heavy price to achieve our gains. Governments always intensify their attacks whenever women demand their rights. We will defend the women’s revolution despite the attacks. The Newroz fest is approaching. Despite all the oppression, the Kurdish people have lit the fire of Newroz and continue to do so. The spirit of resistance that started in Kobanê has come into leaf in Rojhilat.”

 

‘They have turned their anger into resistance’

“Kurdish women will become free by chanting the slogan Jin, jiyan, azadî,” said Cihan Bozan, another woman in Kobanê. Noting that the life philosophy of women of Rojava is “Jin, jiyan, azadi”, Cihan Bozan said, “This slogan was chanted by women during the revolution in Rojava. A popular uprising led by women started in Iran and Rojhilat following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini. Women of Iran and Rojhilat no longer accept the patriarchal system in Iran. As women of Kobanê, we support the resistance of the women in Iran and Rojhilat.”

 

‘Women have been waging a historical resistance’

Pointing to the importance of solidarity among women, Samira Ahmed said, “In Rojhilat, women have been waging a historical resistance. The women of Rojhilat are brave and have a strong will. We know that our solidarity and resistance will go beyond borders.”