A message for women by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan was read out during a rally in Diyarbakır (Amed) on the occasion of 8 March, International Women’s Day.
In his message, Öcalan highlighted the importance that women’s freedom has for the freedom of a society, saying “Socialism can only be achieved through women’s freedom. Without women’s freedom, one cannot be a socialist. Socialism cannot be achieved.” He further highlighted that “Women create culture. It is also thus the woman who creates society. Sacredness and goddessness belong to her.”
Examining the importance of women in society, the Kurdish leader added “Women should not only be considered biologically, but socially, culturally and historically. As Simone De Beauvoir says, one is not born a woman, one becomes a woman.”
He also stressed the importance for men to analyse their approach to women as a basis for becoming a socialist personality, saying: “A person who does not know how to talk to a woman cannot be a socialist. For a man, becoming a socialist depends on the way he relates to women.”
"The culture of war and conflict is primarily directed against women. The destruction of this culture is the driving force of our struggle."
Read the full translation of the letter below:
My basic principle is a magnificent life with you!
I am aware that it is on the basis of becoming yourself (Xwebûn) that you are living the truth of humanity in every way. As women you embody magical values; I have never stopped living with you. This life together has become the fundamental pillar that keeps me on my feet. However, the truth that is so glorious and free for the first time, will be as magnificent as the other firsts of Mesopotamia. Perhaps this has already happened.
The issue of women’s freedom retains all of its importance. The democratic communalist process represents a rebirth of the vanguard role of women’s social engagement within society. A correct understanding of social reality is only possible in this way. Until the culture of rape/sexual assault is overcome, social truth will not emerge in the fields of philosophy, science, aesthetics, ethics and religion. As Marxism has proven, the success of socialism will not be possible unless the new era overcomes the male-dominated culture embedded in the depths of society.
Socialism can only be achieved through women’s freedom. Without women’s freedom, one cannot be a socialist. Socialism cannot be achieved. Without democracy, there can be no socialism. My first test in socialism was evident in the way I spoke to women. A person who does not know how to talk to a woman cannot be a socialist. For a man, becoming a socialist is dependant on the way that he relates to women.
Sacredness belongs to women. Women are the universe themselves. Men are deviated planets circling this universe. It was women who first created language to speak with children. Women create culture. It is also thus the woman who creates society. Sacredness and goddessness belong to her.
For women, I developed the ideology of women’s liberation, which consists of four areas. This is the theory. The culture of the vanguard woman, the era of the goddesses, dates back to 10,000 to 4,000 BCE. Monotheistic religions began with Babylon. The Babylonian epic is the story of the enslavement of women. The creation of the Babylonian epic is one of the cornerstones of Mesopotamian mythology. Between 4,000 to 2,000 BCE, the decline of women’s culture began. After the culture of the vanguard woman collapsed, the palace woman was born with the Mitanni. Nefertiti was also a palace woman. The palace woman of that period has transformed into the housewife of today. As you may also know, there is the culture and tradition of Sati. In the Sati culture, women are thrown into the fire and burned. This happened up until 1832, when the British put an end to this cultural practice.
The rebirth that will take place is very important. Women should not only be considered biologically, but socially, culturally and historically. As Simone De Beauvoir says, one is not born a woman, one becomes a woman. I am not against marriage and love, but horrible murders are committed every day in the name of love. How would a lover kill their beloved? This is not love. Many women have committed suicide because of this kind of relationship.
Nevertheless, women have a culture of freedom. The level you have reached is close to this culture. Women are trying to go beyond the limits of motherhood and marriage. Yet, you still have only managed to reach 10 per cent of this culture of freedom.
The main thing is to fight the mentality. The social system of dominant men always creates problems for women. There is violence, occupation, incest, rape, girls are vulnerable to being killed. What will you do tomorrow when children are killed? When I talk about the culture of Sati, I draw attention to this fact.
You must fight against this culture and mentality. You have shortcomings and contradictions in this regard, free yourself from these shortcomings and contradictions.
The women’s problem is even deeper than the Kurdish problem. The women’s problem is even more central than the Kurdish problem. We have only achieved small improvements in this regard. The culture of war and conflict is primarily directed against women. The destruction of this culture is the driving force of our struggle.
The spirit of this period is democratic politics and the language is the language of peace. The Call for Peace and Democratic Society is at the same time a Renaissance for women. I greet the women who believe in common life and heed my call with the love of Mem and Zîn and Dervish Evdi, and I celebrate 8 March, International Working Women’s Day.
With my continuous greetings and love,
Abdullah Öcalan
