The Turkish army and its jihadist proxy force, the so-called “Syrian National Army” (SNA), continue their attacks against the Tishrin Dam.

The dam, which has already been severely damaged by heavy bombing, is vital for the survival of hundreds of thousands of people in the Euphrates Canton as it provides water and electricity. In order to stop the attacks, civilians from across North-East Syria have been holding a vigil on the site of the Tishrin Dam since the beginning of January.

Women taking part in the resistance at Tishrin Dam made the following statement on the occasion of 8 March, International Working Women's Day: “From the dam of honor and resistance, from the place of heroism and honor, we wish a happy 8 March to women all over the world and freedom fighters who are at the forefront of the resistance against the patriarchal mentality. We bow with respect before the sacrifices of resilient women such as Rosa Luxemburg, Sakine Cansız, Besê, Zarife, Arin Mîrkan and Sema Yüce.

For thousands of years, women all over the world have been subjected to genocide, exploitation, destruction and all forms of violence driven by sexist, religious, nationalist and traditional male-dominated mentalities. The current system sees women as a commodity, as an apparatus to be used in line with its own interests, to bear children, and to fulfill the needs of the man and the family. Despite all these inhumane practices, women have never bowed down. On the contrary, they have always taken part in the areas of resistance and struggle. In particular, the women's liberation movement, which was crowned by Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] on 8 March 1998, has set a model for all women to gain their freedom and claim their gender.

As Kurdish women and all the women in North and East Syria, we have maintained the line of women's resistance throughout our history on this basis. As a result of this resistance and struggle, 8 March is now recognized as a symbolic day. After Leader Abdullah Öcalan made the 'Call for Peace and Democratic Society', we, the women of Rojava and North-East Syria, welcome this day this year with great joy and warmth, in the spirit of free women. We salute the leader and his belief in the power and leadership of women. The women's resistance at the Tishrin Dam, the deaths in the struggle against the attacks on our fighters, our land and our energy have proved our leader's perspective on the power of women.

On this basis, we declare that we will embrace Leader Apo's call, we will act in line with the philosophy of 'Jin Jiyan Azadî' [Woman, Life, Freedom] by understanding its content and we will insistently defend the perspective of free coexistence.”