Women celebrate 8 March as a day of struggle all over the world, including in the mountains of Kurdistan. Guerrillas of the YJA Star (Free Women's Troops) explained to ANF what this day means to them.

For Viyan Avesta, 8 March is a day of revival. Pointing to the role of Abdullah Öcalan in the formation of the Kurdish women's movement, she said: "It is important for us to renew our identity as women and to unite on the basis of Leader Öcalan’s proposals. YJA Star plays a leading role in the resistance against the Turkish occupation forces. This shows the dimension that free women have reached."

Remarking that Kurdish women are pioneers in the liberation struggle, Viyan Avesta continued: "On 8 March and in the struggle, it becomes clear that women are the guarantee of freedom. When we see our existence in the guerrilla, we understand how great our strength and will are."

Zîlan Firat said that the fact that Kurdish women can celebrate 8 March is also thanks to Abdullah Öcalan's struggle for women's liberation, which has been going on for over forty years. She said that YJA Star aspires to expand the struggle and defend the values created by the women's revolution. "For me, following in the footsteps of friends like Sara, Zîlan and Bêrîtan has great meaning. We want to win back what was taken from us," she said.

Narîn Şiyar first sent greetings to Abdullah Öcalan and all the fighters in the guerrilla tunnels. Remarking that the beginning of spring on 8 March has the colours of women, she added: "Spring will be even more beautiful on 8 March. Leader Öcalan is the architect of the women's liberation struggle, and we understand better what freedom means since we are in these free mountains. Jin Jiyan Azadî!"