The Middle East Women's Revolution Forum held at Rojava University was attended by many women from different countries.

Speaking at the forum, Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-presidency board member Foza Yusif said: “It is an honour for us to talk about the achievements of women during the 10 years of the Rojava Revolution. We are so lucky that some women sacrificed their lives for women's freedom. Sakine Cansız, Arin, Şilan and many others fell as martyrs to advance the women's revolution.”

Referring to the factors that increase the conflicts between states, Foza Yusif said: “The world is going through a very difficult period due to the male-dominated mentality developed by the capitalist system. There is a tough war in the Middle East. Hundreds of refugee women and children are displaced. This is the Third World War, the war of men.”

Foza Yusif continued: “The capitalist regime is carrying out cultural genocide policies against the peoples today. The war waged by the capitalist powers is aimed at destroying the gains of the peoples. The purpose of these wars is to control power.”

Abdullah Öcalan saluted

Pointing out that the current capitalist system spreads wars instead of freedom, Yusif said: “In 5 months, more than 3 million people immigrated from Ukraine. During the 10-year war in Syria, hundreds of thousands of people migrated and thousands were killed. Conflicts continue in Libya, and there is poverty in Lebanon. On the other hand, Iraq is still unable to form a government and blood has been spilled in Afghanistan for nearly 70 years. This is the face of reality.”

Yusif also said: “Attacks in the occupied territories and violations against women are the result of a male-dominated mentality. The world needs a new revolution and politics. That's why we say the Rojava Revolution is a women's revolution. Today, we gave a message to the world with the free women and democratic nation project.

The women's revolution was led by Kurdish women, but then we wanted to change this mentality with all the women of Mesopotamia. The revolution gave birth to many new perspectives based on jineology. In this sense, to mark the 10th anniversary of the revolution, we salute Leader Abdullah Öcalan, to whom we owe this model, who has been resisting in Imrali prison for 23 years.”

Yusif continued: “Mesopotamian women are lucky because we wrote history ourselves. In the 10th anniversary of the revolution, we are writing a golden page in every field of the revolution with the labor of women. These women left their mark on the revolution, so we are lucky to think with a free mind. This model is different from existing models in the world. We must preserve this model of revolution as our regions are subject to attacks and threats.

The enemies are afraid of our thoughts. So we must prepare for a great war. Just as we have led all women in the world, we must also expand the women's revolution. We must develop ourselves with a mind-set and the idea of ​​self-defense. Let's not fool ourselves: Every free woman should be ready to take up arms.

We must fill our souls with freedom. There is no freedom without defense. We cannot maintain our freedom without defense. We should always keep in mind the situation of women in Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Afghanistan.

Women played a leading role in the revolution. Women take their place equally in the co-chairmanship system. They rebelled. This does not mean that the revolution is over. We must step up resistance. On this occasion, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution. The 21st century will be the year of freedom for women and peoples!”