News Center- On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25, thousands of women marched in many cities of North and East Syria to protest violence against women. “As women, we will fight together to build a free and democratic society,” they said.

Marches were held in Hasakah, Qamishlo and Girke Legê (Al-Muabbada), cities in the Jazira Canton of North and East Syria, in Kobanê, Raqqa and Tebqa, cities in the Euphrates Canton of North and East Syria, by Kongra Star and Zenûbiya Women’s Community.

Women participating in the marches chanted slogans such as “Long live leader Apo”, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” and “No to occupation and violence against women”.

Raqqa

Hundreds of women gathered at the Old Bridge Junction near the village of Kisra to participate in the march organized by the Zenûbya Women’s Community. Holding a banner reading, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî”, the women marched until the entrance of the city of Raqqa. There, Zenûbiya Women’s Community Spokesperson Xûd El Îsa read a statement, stressing that women struggle to build a free and non-violent life. “The Jin, Jiyan, Azadî slogan is the compass of women's struggle. We call on all civil society organizations, women's organizations and human rights organizations to fulfill their responsibilities and expose crimes committed against women and people.”

Tabqa

The march in Tabqa started in front of the Martyr Hevrin Khalaf Park and ended in front of the building of the Zenûbiya Women’s Community. Zenûbiya Women’s Community Spokesperson Semîra Hebeş made a speech, greeting all women resisting oppression and violence. “Women will keep struggling until the 5,000-year-old patriarchal mindset ends,” she said.

Hasakah

Thousands of women from different towns of Hasakah such as Dirbasiyah, Til Temir (Tell Tamer), Zirgan (Abu Rasin), Shaddadah, al-Hol and Til Berak participated in the march organized by Kongra Star in Hasakah. After the march, Diyana El Abdula, coordinating member of Kongra Star, made a speech, emphasizing that the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” philosophy has become the slogan of the struggle for freedom in North and East Syria.

“Violence against women is a crime against humanity,” said Semer El Ebdula, member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Women’s Council. “We will grow our struggle and never allow rights violations to be committed against women. As women, we will fight together to build a free and democratic society.”