The women in North and East Syria should intensify their struggle and organise around the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” [Woman, Life, Freedom], said İlham Ehmed, co-chair of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).
In an interview with Hawar News published on Sunday, the politician said that International Women’s Day on 8 March had for years served as an opportunity to unite the women in Syria.
“Through protests, the women’s movement that started in North and East Syria has transformed this day into a day against all types of illegal and unlawful practices against women,” Ehmed said of 8 March.
The politician said the Kurdish freedom movement’s “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” slogan, which has become the symbol of women’s protests in Iran, had encompassed women everywhere on earth.
“This slogan created an impact both regionally and internationally and sent an important message to women; the message to demand the right to live,” Ehmed said.
Ehmed added that the women’s rights movement in North and East Syria has been actively involved in the revolution that started in the region in 2011.
“However, through time the women’s role has been reduced, and it has remained limited. Women have been excluded from politics, demonstrations, demands for democracy and freedom. They have been moved away from centres of decision-making,” she said, adding that the SDC has nevertheless offered women opportunities to play a role in both politics and administration.
The politician called on all women in the region to rethink their roles in politics and reflect on how they can raise the spirits of all people in Syria in order to help them believe in the resolution of the conflict.
“If Syrian women do not do that, they will be ignored like they were in the past. If no gains are achieved for women’s freedom, the bloodshed will have no meaning,” Ehmed added.
“’Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ is a deep, philosophical slogan, and it is important for women to intensify and organise around this slogan. Women are being killed, both psychologically and physically. It is important for women to play a role in plans for the future. Hence, they need first to strengthen the solidarity among themselves, before acting in solidarity with society,” Ehmed said.
