Peace in Kurdistan has issued a statement to salute Kurdish women on 8 March. The statement reads: “We pay tribute to the courage and creativity of Kurdish women and celebrate the ritical part that they have played in the history of their people’s struggle and women’s leading role in the growth of the Kurdish Freedom Movement.

On International Women’s Day, Peace in Kurdistan stands with Kurdish women in their legitimate struggles and is inspired by all that Kurdish woman are doing every day in their fight for justice, dignity and liberation. 

A women’s revolution continues to take place inside Kurdistan, and it is vital to recognise the inspiration drawn from the writings and ideas of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has long put women at the centre of Kurdish liberation.” 

The statement adds: “Women have shaped and defined Kurdish society and their efforts have been fundamental to the development of Kurdish consciousness in recent decades and by their actions they have critically transformed how others perceive the Kurds.

The outstanding activism and courage of women such as Leyla Guven have in recent years become symbols of Kurdish resistance and inspired others by their leadership.

We stand firm in our demand of justice for Kurdish women like Fidan Doğan, Sakine Cansiz and Leyla Şaylemez, who were horrifically murdered in Paris in 2013.”

The statement continues: “Women are today active in every area of Kurdish society and within the Kurdish movement, giving a voice to the people, working in their communities, active in politics, speaking out as advocates in law, expressing themselves in the Kurdish media, in art and education. Women remain active in the field, in the courts and in political assemblies, working as law makers and as fighters for peace, social justice and national liberation. 

Kurdish women have made tremendous progress through their political action over recent decades and have built powerful social institutions where women have been empowered and discovered their voice.  

In celebrating the resilience of Kurdish women, we must not forget that women continue to give their lives for the political national struggle and remain deliberately targeted as women by Turkish aggression and the forces of ISIS which are still a threat although diminished through Kurdish resistance. “

The statement also remembers and expresses “solidarity with the numerous Kurdish women who are political prisoners confronting abuse, degradation and torture.

The Covid-19 pandemic has allowed Turkey to impose tough lockdown measures and renewed curfews on Kurdish communities which have introduced even harsher obstacles on social life and curbed political activity. 

Women have made enormous sacrifices for the national cause and in defence of their people across Kurdistan and especially on the frontline, including the women of Rojava, where women’s liberation is at the heart of the struggle and of the efforts to build a new society.

Peace in Kurdistan honours the countless courageous Kurdish women who are part of the political struggle at all levels. Women’s liberation is human liberation just as the freedom of the Kurdish people means the freedom of humanity.”