Thousands of women in Kobanê celebrated 8 March, International Working Women's Day, at Martyr Egîd Square.

Îlham Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, delivered a speech.

Celebrating 8 March for all the martyrs of the revolution and the fighters resisting on the fronts, Îlham Ehmed said: “Every step taken, every word spoken and every action taken is aimed at determining the future. If we are gathered here today and celebrate 8 March, we owe it to those who gave their lives for this cause and to those who are resisting on the war fronts.

We have been through very difficult times. Now the fate and future of the Middle East is being determined. If the fate of the region is to be determined, society must also stand up strongly. Kurds are leading this process. We are celebrating 8 March here, but massacres are taking place elsewhere in Syria. We feel their pain too. When women are massacred in Latakia and other cities, it is as if we are being killed.”

Îlham Ehmed continued: “The fate of women is one wherever they are. The voice raised in this area is the voice of all Syrian women. The women who are resisting on the battle front are fighting for all Syrian women. Women continue their struggle in every field. A Syria where children and society are free and where women and men are equal is only possible through the struggle of free women.”

Sara Xelîl, Co-Chair of the Assembly of Martyrs' Families in the Euphrates Canton, said, “We wish all the women of the world a happy 8 March. In the past, 8 March celebrations were not allowed. Today, thanks to Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], all the days of women have become a holiday. Women have taken their place in every field of society. We should all raise our struggle even higher on 8 March and Newroz.”