In the Kurdish liberation movement, women play a central and leading role in all areas of life and struggle. In a program on Stêrk TV to mark the International Day against Violence against Women on 25 November, women doctors in the mountains of Kurdistan in the Free Women's Troops (YJA Star), who are also guerrillas, were interviewed.

Rûken Botan: Our army is a testament to the strength of women

Guerrilla doctor Rûken Botan said that women have taken on responsibilities in society since the beginning of history and used to play a leading role in social issues. Women were enslaved by the patriarchal system. In Kurdistan, the lives of women have changed with the emergence of the movement led by Abdullah Öcalan, said Rûken Botan, adding: "We now have women active in all areas. Our army is a testament to the strength of women. We are both fighters and doctors in the guerrillas. Our work is strategically important because we can help wounded friends. As women, we see our impact on revolutionary work. Our work also has meaning from an idealistic point of view. When we see the wounded recovering, it is a moment of greatest happiness for us."

Ararat Orhan: Women must develop in all areas

Ararat Orhan explained her motivation for working as a guerrilla doctor: "In the male system of rule, women are excluded from many areas and are supposed to remain passive. When I realized this, I wanted to develop myself further. I chose the healthcare field to ease the pain of my friends in the freedom struggle. Working in the healthcare field requires great attention and care. If women develop and gain awareness in all areas of life, the male system of domination will be weakened and there will be less violence. As medics and fighters, we not only want to protect women from physical violence, but also ensure the freedom of all women in the world."

Rojda Şeval: The PKK is led by women

In the program, guerrilla doctor Rojda Şeval discussed the role of women in the war against the Turkish state and said that women have been subjected to attacks by those in power until today. She said: "The attacks on women are increasing today. In Kurdistan, women are now able to stand up to every form of patriarchal thinking and fend off the attacks with their fight. The enemy also sees this strength and says that the PKK is led by women. It is a major problem for the occupiers that women take part in the war at all levels and lead the fight. The women in the guerrilla fight with great determination against globally banned weapons used by the enemy. The YJA Star's resistance against the genocidal enemy is admired by women everywhere. We are part of this fight with our work in the health sector and are inspired by Rêber Apo's [Abdullah Öcalan's] philosophy. When women fight with courage and determination in all areas, the enemy sees how impossible it is for him to achieve results against the guerrillas."

Rûken Kobanê: We fight against all attacks on women

Another guerrilla doctor who spoke on the show was Rûken Kobanê. She said that the Kurdish liberation movement has been fighting violence against women since its inception and this fight is still going on. Through this struggle, millions of women have come together for freedom today. "Rêber Apo said that a society cannot be free if women are not free. Thousands of women gave their lives in the fight for freedom. There is a long tradition of resistance in the history of Kurdish women. As a YJA star, we don't just fight for the freedom of Kurdish women. We want all women in the world to be free and gain consciousness. We fight to provide an answer to every form of attack on women."