25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day is particularly important for the Kurdish freedom movement, because in the apoist paradigm, the anti-patriarchal struggle is not just the fight against one social contradiction among many, but the fight for the root of capitalist modernity. The Kurdish freedom movement has coined the formula that without the liberation of women, no liberation of society is possible.

On the occasion of 25 November, fighters from the HPG (People's Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Units) spoke about the importance of women's freedom struggle.

"Patriarchy is based on the destruction of women"

Guerrilla Eylem Göksu Gabar said: “The power system dominated by the patriarchal spirit devalues ​​the social importance of women and excludes them from all areas of society. In the Neolithic period, life was led by women. Women were self-confident and showed society the way. But with the emergence of the state and power, violence against women began; they wanted to remove them from their essence and reality. Today, this system is trying to destroy women physically, mentally and spiritually.

"Women are murdered and their bodies mutilated"

This mentality is based on the destruction of women. The increase in femicides year after year is a result of this system. The patriarchal system does not just murder women, but tries to destroy them by dismembering them. There are many examples of cruelty towards women who do not surrender. For example, the young woman Garibe Gezer was tortured to death in prison and her body was abused. Eight-year-old Narin was murdered in Amed. Her lifeless body was put in a sack and thrown into the water. And it is still not known how Rojin was murdered in Van. The system does not accept the existence of women, but women continue to fight."

"Women lead the anti-fascist struggle"

Eylem Göksu Gabar continued: "Not only the YJA Star fighters, but women from all over the world have united around Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]. Women became the forerunners of the resistance based on his ideas. As apoist fighters, we are making ever greater progress in our struggle against this patriarchal system. Today, the YJA Star fighters in Metîna, Avaşîn and Zap are putting up great resistance against fascism and the system of domination. In this struggle, women face the heaviest attacks based on their own strength. They are waging a great struggle.

Like our commanders Berwar Dêrsîm and Sara Tolhildan, many comrades have put up courageous resistance under the most difficult conditions and have fallen as martyrs. They have gone down in history as great examples of resistance. Commander Sara Tolhildan shaped the resistance in the 'Şehîd Doğan' war tunnels and fought until the last moment. Commander Bêrîtan Nûrheq Çiya also fought until the end and sacrificed herself to avoid being captured by the enemy. Thanks to the resistance of these heroic comrades, the Turkish occupying state is not making any progress. We will defeat the enemy as YJA Star."

"The women's struggle has profoundly changed Kurdish men"

HPG fighter Çalak Mazlûm said: "For thousands of years, humanity has developed under patriarchal rule. This process has led to the usurpation of the values ​​created by women and the robbing of both their material and ideological freedoms. Throughout history, there have been many organizations, struggles and uprisings against the patriarchy that has affected all areas of women's lives. The PKK's struggle is one of them. It is led by women. It aims to break the effects of capitalist modernity on the individual and society. Kurdish men in particular have experienced a profound change through this struggle.

As a result, the idea of ​​freedom, equality, Hevaltî and free coexistence with women has developed among Kurdish men. On the basis of the women's liberation struggle, a new life is being built based on mutual respect and true love. The PKK has been fighting on this basis for 50 years. Today, women are no longer willing to accept slavery as before. They reject all forms of patriarchal domination in society. Led by Kurdish women, women in the Middle East and the world have begun to question this injustice and fight against the inequalities that have existed for thousands of years. Women are now better organized, more conscious and stronger in their struggle. In particular, the work of Jineolojî, which was developed through the initiative of Rêber Apo, has created a new level in terms of women's freedom and social reality.

"The women's struggle will tear down the patriarchal order"

Jineolojî does not refer exclusively to women's rights, but defends the rights of society and humanity. In this way, women have become representatives of universal freedoms. Rêber Apo says that an organized woman is the solution and a force for freedom. The organized woman stands for equality, success, freedom, work and a meaningful life. The women's liberation struggle has made life more meaningful and beautiful for women and for all of humanity. Women are murdered, enslaved, bought and sold, driven to suicide - all of this is based on patriarchy. But the struggle led by women will break down this order.

Women no longer just fight, they live life to the fullest. They were once slaves and now have their own meaning in their lives. Women are now present in all areas, from politics to social life. Our comrades from the YJA Star have inspired women all over the world with their resistance. From the ranks of the YJA Star have emerged great heroines, great commanders. They have shown the whole world the power that women can have when they organize themselves, and that they can break the fate that has been imposed on women for thousands of years by breaking the patriarchal system.

Our comrades in the YJA Star have trained, armed and organized themselves because they believe in Rêber Apo's ideas of freedom. Our first female martyrs, comrades like Bêrîtan and Zîlan, have become symbols that prove this. The women's identity in the PKK represents this reality. It is a source of inspiration, strength and morality for women all over the world. Not only women, but we as young men are also inspired by this power. We question more and feel more anger towards the patriarchal mentality. This shows us the need to bring about a change within ourselves. The women's freedom struggle is the basis of Rêber Apo's paradigm."