The Women’s Media Union (YRJ) issued a statement marking its 5th anniversary at the Mihemed Şêxo Culture and Art Center in Qamishlo, Rojava.

The statement was read in Kurdish by YRJ Executive Board Member Newroz Demhat and in Arabic by YRJ Spokesperson Arîn Siwêd.

The YRJ statement said: "Women’s long-standing journey in the field of media has been woven through great sacrifices made in the quest for truth.

Today, we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Media Union (Yekitiya Ragihandina Jin – YRJ), which emerged out of a historical and organizational necessity to create a free and democratic media, to make visible women’s and society’s problems, and to struggle against the patriarchal mentality that has denied the existence of women for centuries.

The founding of the YRJ was not merely a step toward organization but also the result of women’s enduring struggle in the media and their great sacrifices in the pursuit of truth. On this occasion, we commemorate our martyred comrades Cîhan Bîlgîn, Dilîşan Îbiş, Eylül Nûhilat, Rohenda Efrîn, Dilovan Gever, Arîn Cûdî, and all those who gave their lives for free women’s journalism. Their voices have become torches that illuminate the path of our resistance."

The statement added: "We see journalism as an instrument of intellectual and organizational resistance. Throughout history, media institutions shaped by male-dominated mindsets have reproduced this mentality in society and evaluated women’s issues within narrow frameworks. Creating the foundation for free journalism has become an essential need in order to break this dominating, patriarchal approach.

In light of Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s philosophy that ‘women’s freedom is the foundation of society’s freedom,’ the voice of women in journalism is an essential step toward building a just and free society."

The statement continued: "Although the YRJ’s experience spans only five years, it has been built upon a strong and extensive heritage. It draws on a long-standing legacy that has questioned the institutionalization of the patriarchal mindset and sought to create alternatives to it. As one of these alternative forms, YRJ has emerged prominently.

Our work began under the leadership of a group of women and, with the aim of establishing a model of exemplary journalism, has been carried out in cooperation with women’s organizations within general media institutions and dozens of women’s media and publishing outlets. Today, with over 500 journalists and reporters, the YRJ continues its activities in all dimensions of the media field, positioning itself as an alternative that offers solutions to social, ecological, economic, and political problems and prioritizes women’s issues.

In North and East Syria, women journalists have played a pioneering role in conveying the truths of war and resistance to the world. By documenting every act of resistance against occupation, plunder, and destruction, they have succeeded in becoming the voice of the people. Against attempts to silence and distort the truth, women journalists have persisted with great determination and courage, strengthening the resistance with their cameras, microphones, and pens."

The statement ended with the following remarks: "At a time when political, economic, and humanitarian crises are deepening across the Middle East and the world, we emphasize that the project of building a free and democratic press is urgent and cannot be postponed. We declare that we will continue our struggle to reflect the situation of women and the peoples’ struggle, and to cultivate awareness in society around the values of freedom, equality, and coexistence.

On this occasion, we proudly salute all the women who labor in the field of media and struggle to be a free and independent voice. We once again affirm our determination to stay on our chosen path and to realize the goals of the YRJ."