The Arab Youth Initiative in Shengal is holding a workshop in Xanesor town of Shengal (Sinjar) with the slogan ‘We will win the freedom war with the spirit of Apoist youth, we will live free with Leader Apo’. In the workshop, seminars and discussions will be held within the framework of the 4th defence of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The workshop, which is taking place in Xanesor People's Assembly under the leadership of the Arab Youth Initiative in Shengal, is attended by representatives of the Shengal Autonomous Administration, Êzîdxan Asayish (Yazidi Public Security), Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ), Êzîdxan Youth Union and Shengal Young Women's Union. The workshop started after a moment of silence for the martyrs, followed by a screening on the problems in the Middle East and solutions under the leadership of the youth.

The workshop will focus on the three main issues raised by Abdullah Öcalan in his 4th defence. Among the topics to be addressed are family, clan, morals, political society and politics.

In the first session of the workshop, Emir Ramazan, a member of the Arab Youth Initiative, made a presentation on the issue of tribe and family.

In his presentation, Emir Ramazan highlighted the importance of Öcalan’s ideas for the solution of all social problems and stated that the issue of tribe and family has become a major factor in the Middle East, adding: “This has caused everyone to be based on their family and tribe. The method currently being developed in our region is an obstacle to the development of society.”

The second seminar on sexism was given by Dilo Şengalî, a member of the Young Women's Union, who stated the following: “The word gender refers to the biological difference between men and women and defines the different social roles that society assigns to men and women. In terms of gender, society sees men as powerful and women as deficient. Looking at the differences between the two concepts, it is seen that while biological sex refers to a natural condition that comes from birth, social gender is an acquired condition. The divisions caused by the oppression and inequality applied to women throughout history are related to gender. The current injustice is not biological, but the result of the roles that people and society assign to gender.”

Dilo Şengalî continued: “If we make a comparison between the attitudes of family members towards boys and girls, we can clearly see the effect of this mentality. Traditions and customs are instilled in the personality of both sexes in the family. When you are told to cover up because you are a woman so that your private parts cannot be seen, special clothes such as headscarves and the like are determined for girls, or they are not allowed to wear trousers. In some places we see that boys can wear whatever they want. Undoubtedly, this situation is not limited to the home; when women are banned from entering some places, sexism dominates all areas of life.”

The last seminar of the workshop was given by Shalan Aradi, a member of the Arab Youth Initiative, who pointed that what is expected from women and youth is to acquire approaches that will develop peaceful solutions for humanity on a peaceful basis, based on a moral and political philosophy of society, as well as deep analysis. Shalan Aradi stated that the problems that Middle Eastern societies face in general are the issues arising from the lack of organisation of women and youth.

Shalan Aradi continued: “On this basis, women and youth are the models of society, the pillars of the present and the strength of the future. Young people want to offer the best things to the society they live in. Women and youth work together to build a moral and political society. They are the pinnacle of society, the bearers of morality and politics. Therefore, they have the ability to realise the moral and political mentality of society against the dominant reactionary and capitalist colonialist mentality. If women and youth know their rights and responsibilities to build a moral and political society, they can change the current reality with their views and suggestions.”

The workshop will continue with evaluations, after which the final declaration will be shared with the public.