The Mesopotamian Women Journalists Association (MGK) issued a written statement to mark Kurdish Women Journalists Day. The statement underlined that the legacy left by Gurbetelli Ersöz, the first female editor-in-chief of the Özgür Gündem newspaper and a pioneer in the history of the Turkish and Kurdish press, will be protected.

The statement added that Gurbetelli Ersöz was a brave revolutionary, journalist and women's rights advocate who did not back down despite the pressures. "In memory of Gurbetelli, who lost her life on 7 October 1997, Kurdish women journalists continue their struggle to strengthen the presence and voice of women in the press. This struggle underlines the importance of women taking their rightful place in the media and social life."

The statement continued: "Every step Gurbetelli took and every word she wrote became a symbol of the resistance. She was the voice of the free press and women. The legacy left by Gurbetelli, who said, ‘This fire will burn you too’, continues to feed the courage and determination of Kurdish women journalists. Today, despite the pressures and the arrests, women journalists who pursue the truth continue their resistance against the male language of the media. Kurdish women journalists, who face pressure and threats, work with great devotion to maintain the existence of the free press. The fact that journalist Rabia Önver was subjected to pressure due to the news she wrote about Hakkari (Colemêrg) is a concrete example of this pressure. However, Rabia and Kurdish women journalists like her continue to stubbornly search for the truth."

'We will not allow the truth to remain in the dark'

The statement also commemorated journalists Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn, who were killed by a Turkish drone in the city of Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) in South Kurdistan on 23 August, and journalist Nagihan Akarsel, who was killed on 4 October 2022.

The statement said: "Gülistan and Hero, just like Gurbetelli and Nagihan, took their place in the resistance as defenders of the free media struggle. The legacy they left behind will further strengthen the spirit of resistance of the free media. Today, as we commemorate all free media workers who lost their lives in the person of revolutionary journalists Gurbetelli Ersöz, Nagihan Akarsel, Gülistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn, we promise that we will continue to walk their path with determination. As Kurdish women journalists, we believe that the truth will not remain in the dark thanks to the philosophy of ‘Jin, Jîyan, Azadî’ and we underline that we will continue our struggle. MKG will continue its efforts to ensure that women journalists take a more active part in the struggle for free media and will continue to make their voices heard everywhere. The establishment of MKG will carry this legacy into the future as a symbol of the courageous and determined stance of Kurdish women journalists in their search for truth."