​​​​​​​Palestinian women's solidarity with women's resistance in Rojhilat and Iran

The Iranian state authorities threatened the families of the victims of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” uprising, who prepared to hold memorial ceremonies for their sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Iranian state’s suppression of the popular uprising.

The popular uprising, led by women, broke out throughout the regions of Kurdistan and Iran, following the killing of the young Kurdish woman, Gina Amini (22 years old), at the hands of the Iranian state’s morality police, in mid-September of last year, and received widespread resonance among women’s circles in the world.

We will make positive change'

Faten al-Zahmat, a Palestinian activist, advisor to the Arab African Union, and a member of the International Coalition for Displaced and Refugee Women, began her response to our question about her vision for the women’s uprising in Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan and Iran, the first anniversary of which is approaching, by repeating the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” ( Women, Life, Freedom), in Kurdish.

She said: “We salute the resistance of Kurdish women in Iran and we salute with reverence the icons of Kurdish women, the martyr Sakîne Cansiz, Leyla Şaylemez, Fîdan Doga, Hevrin Khalaf and all the martyrs of freedom,” adding that they are “icons and role models for us, those who did not back down from their stances and reached the level of martyrdom with full dignity."

“We say to the Kurdish women, do not back down, continue your stance, for you are the heroines, the strength, and the bearers of the right. You will make a very important positive change,” with these words, Faten al-Zahmat addressed the Kurdish women.

Faith in the cause

She explained that as a Palestinian woman, she finds it important to "unify women's efforts, build healthy international relations, and spread the issue, whether Kurdish or even Palestinian, throughout the world."

She saw a great similarity between the resistance of Palestinian and Kurdish women, and said: “We own the land and history, and we have deep roots in Palestine and Kurdistan. We have a long road of struggle ahead of us. With our will, we can reach our goal, and take our independence with awareness, through our belief in our cause.”

She stressed, "With awareness, we can move the international community and make it support our cause."

Faten pointed out the role of the media in shedding light on the Palestinian and Kurdish issues, by working with all segments of society and creating conscious leaders for the future. Because the rising generation is the change maker, according to Faten.

Faten al-Zahmat, advisor to the Arab African Union and a member of the International Coalition for Displaced and Refugee Women, concluded her speech by saying: “We hope that we can celebrate victory together, whether in Kurdistan or in Palestine, because we are the owners of the land and history, we are the power and we are the makers of positive change with all merit.”

T/ Satt.

ANHA