In her article, published a day before the general strike in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) on Firat News Agency, Zilan Vejin, the former co-chair of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) and a prominent women political figure, examines the broader resistance of Kurdish and Iranian women against the oppressive Islamic Republic of Iran. She underscores Pakhshan Azizi’s unwavering defiance, portraying her as a symbol of women’s resistance and a leading figure in the women’s scouting movement. Vejin further highlights the critical role of civil society organisations, particularly the “Mothers of Peace” in Sanandaj (Sine), Iranian Kurdistan, in mobilising and sustaining resistance.
In this context, Vejin writes:
“The steadfast stance of the ‘Mothers of Peace’ in Sanandaj proves that no amount of state oppression can suppress the voices and demands of women and civil society in Iranian Kurdistan. Society has reached a level of awareness that defies injustice and refuses to bow to tyranny. These values have become the bedrock of the collective democratic struggle of the Iranian people, especially women.”
Zilan Vejin highlights the unwavering defiance of women like Pakhshan Azizi, Warisheh Moradi, and Golrokh Iraei within the oppressive confines of Iranian prisons. She argues that their resistance against patriarchal and religious oppression has simultaneously struck fear into the Iranian regime and ignited a wave of inspiration among women. According to Vejin, their courage has radicalised the struggle for equality and justice, further energising the movement for liberation and change.
The uprising of Jin, Jiyan, Azadi
Reflecting on the impacts of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising, Vejin contends that this movement has transformed collective anger and grief into an unyielding struggle against the Iranian regime. She argues that the core values embedded in this slogan, championed by women, have left an indelible mark on the Iranian political landscape. These values, Vejin believes, will serve as guiding principles for the region’s future, etched permanently into the collective consciousness of society.
A vision for the future
In the context of rising tensions between Iran and Western nations, coupled with fears of a potential “Syrianisation” of Iran, Vejin underscores the critical role of women in shaping the future of Iran and Kurdistan’s political future. She asserts that a democratic Iran cannot be built upon patriarchal, nationalist, or religious ideologies. Instead, the progressive vision of women like Zeyneb Jalalian, Warisheh Moradi, and Pakhshan Azizi—anchored in the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”—presents a pathway toward a more equitable and inclusive future.
Solidarity and collective action
Vejin draws attention to the arrest of Ahou Daryaei, a Persian women student at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University, whose defiance against patriarchal norms exemplifies the growing resistance among women. However, she cautions that individual acts of bravery must evolve into collective movements to achieve lasting change. Vejin urges for greater solidarity and widespread organisation among women to dismantle the regime’s oppressive structures.
Pakhshan Azizi: A beacon of resistance
Vejin reflects on Azizi’s personal struggle and her writings from prison, describing them as a manifesto of the shared identity and resistance of Kurdish and Iranian women. Azizi’s words, Vojin argues, encapsulate the unspoken pain and resilience of countless women—those silenced during interrogations, executed without trial, or killed and forgotten.
In conclusion, Vejin asserts that figures such as Zeynab Jalalian, Warisheh Moradi, and especially Pakhshan Azizi, embody not only the struggles of Kurdish women but also the collective suffering and defiance of women across the Middle East. Their legacies, she argues, illuminate the path toward solidarity, democracy, and the abolition of executions. For Vejin, Azizi stands as a symbol of Kurdish women’s enduring resistance and a trailblazer in the fight for freedom—a cultural icon whose influence transcends borders.
