The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) SDF and Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) General Command Member Newroz Ehmed, KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Co-Chair Zeyneb Murad, Tevgera Azadî (Freedom Movement) Co-Chair Tara Hisên, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Deputy Feleknas Uca, Community of Free Women of Eastern Kurdistan (KJAR) Diplomatic Relations Committee Spokeswoman Rozerîn Kemanger and PYD (Democratic Union Party) Co-Chair Asya Abdullah attended an online meeting held on Thursday under the title “Women's role in the realization of national unity is an important strategy for the protection of the Kurdish people.”

'WOMEN ARE NOT SELF-ORIENTED'

Calling attention to the role of women in the realization of Kurdish unity, SDF and YPJ General Command Member Newroz Ehmed said: “There is no such thing as 'me' in women’s nature. A woman does not only take care of herself, her region or her family. This further strengthens their role. Culture, history, identity and language are the main elements of self-defence. Therefore, women are the general identity of national unity.”

'FREE WOMEN'S REVOLUTION RESONATED IN THE ENTIRE WORLD'

KNK Co-Chair Zeyneb Murad pointed to the free women's revolution: “The free women's revolution, which resonates all over the world, is one of the methods of self-defence. This can be seen in the YPJ's resistance in Rojava, the women's resistance against the fascist mentality in North Kurdistan and Turkey, and the guerrilla struggle against the invading troops in the Kurdistan mountains. Women are also fighting against reactionary policies in Iran.”

PYD Co-Chair Asya Abdullah remarked that the Kurds resisted the genocidal attacks against their achievements and values by the Turkish state. She said: “We cannot see this process as extraordinary; we should rather consider it as a strategic process.”

'NATIONAL UNITY WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH WOMEN'S RESISTANCE'

HDP MP Feleknas Uca pointed out that: “National unity will be achieved through women's resistance: “Because, Kurdish women make common cause by organizing. Women know that the Kurdish people must be organized because they will be destroyed without an organization. Women must organize themselves and their communities and build their national unity.”

Feleknas Uca remarked that the Kurdish women in North Kurdistan consider the realization of national unity more important than anything else. She said: “We must be united to vindicate the women of Shengal and the martyrs of Kurdistan, and we will respond to all massacres through our unity.”

Tevgera Azad Co-Tara Hisên pointed out that women continue their struggle to shape a new mentality against the dictatorial system and added: “Women's common struggle leads to success.”

KJAR Diplomatic Relations Committee Spokeswoman Rozerîn Kemanger pointed to the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising in East Kurdistan and Iran. She said: “This iconic slogan has emerged from Kurdistan; it is based on a deep philosophy and way of life. It has united the Iranian people.”