4 marches on International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women

As part of the activities commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, marches were held in three cities in North and East Syria, as well as in Aleppo.

At the events organized by the Joint Activities Platform of Women's Movements and Organizations in North and East Syria, thousands of women and men raised banners calling for an escalation of the struggle against violence.

Qamishlo

Hundreds of women from the cities and towns of Qamishlo, Tel Hamis, Tirbê Spiyê, Amuda, Tel Kocher, Jel Agha, Derik, and Girkê Legê, representing various components; Kurds, Arabs, and Syriacs, participated in a mass march that began at the Industrial Bakery roundabout and proceeded towards the Haytham Kajo Stadium.

The participants carried banners with "Women are life... Don't kill life.. Together to end violence against women and girls.. Our bodies are our weapon against violence.. We exist... We are the women of struggle" written on.

Slogans of "Women, life, freedom" and "No to violence against women" were chanted.

Upon reaching the Haytham Kajo Stadium, the march transformed into a protest. Reihan Luqo, the member of the Kongra Star Coordination, delivered a speech, emphasizing that November 25th is a day of determination to build a free, shared, and equal life, and commemorating the martyrs of freedom. She renewed the pledge to continue the struggle against the patriarchal and authoritarian mentality that attempts to silence women's voices and obliterate their role over history.

She noted that women's resistance has been and remains the cornerstone of securing their rights and preserving their identity.

The co-chair of the Executive Council in Jazira canton, Vivian Behou, also delivered a speech stressing that protecting women is a societal duty and responsibility. She affirmed that women in North and East Syria have proven their ability to lead society and create change.

She added that confronting violence is not merely a slogan, but a daily commitment to building a society that guarantees safety, dignity, and the free participation of women in all aspects of life.

The gathering concluded with a theatrical performance by the Martyr Yusra Troupe, organized by the Hilal Zerin Center, which embodied a clear call for women to demand their rights and oppose the violence perpetrated against them.

Raqqa

The Zenobia Women's Assembly organized a large march that included Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir ez-Zor cantons. The march began at the Panorama roundabout and proceeded towards the Free Women's square in Raqqa city, with the participation of members of civil and military institutions, women's organizations, representatives from the Autonomous Administration, the co-chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria; Avin Sweid, and the head of the Women's Body in the region; Adalat Omer.

Upon reaching the Free Women's square, the attendees held a minute of silence. Then, Khod al-Issa; the spokesperson for the Zenobia Women's Assembly delivered a speech, emphasizing that this day marked a significant milestone in the struggle of Syrian women.

Al-Issa addressed the violations suffered by women in various parts of the country, stating, "We cannot ignore the suffering endured by women in Afrin, Tel Abyad, and Ras al-Ayn, including displacement, kidnapping, and serious violations. Every woman has the right to a safe return and to live in dignity, as well as the right to justice and accountability for the perpetrators."

She also saluted the female fighters of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stating that their sacrifices proved women's ability to defend their land and people.

She emphasized that "Syria can be a homeland for all if women's rights and freedoms are respected."

Khod al-Issa concluded her speech by saying, "Building a new Syria begins with the full recognition of women's rights. We demand a homeland that guarantees their rights, a constitution that protects them, and laws that criminalize violence. Women are not just half of society; they are its heart, soul, and driving force. Today, we march, and tomorrow, we will make the change."

Then, the head of the Women's Body in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Adalat Omer, delivered a speech in Kurdish, stressing the importance of combating violence against women.

The march concluded with chants of, "No to violence against women," and "Women, life, freedom."

Kobane

The Kongra Star in the Euphrates region organized a march that began at Martyr Agid square and ended at Free Women's square in Kobane city.

Upon reaching the Free Women's square, the participants held a minute of silence. Then, Nadia Hesso, the member of the Kongra Star Coordination in Sheran, addressed the crowd, saying, "Today, we celebrate the struggle against violence against women. This is a day of resistance and struggle."

Nadia explained that the crimes committed against women are crimes against society as a whole. She continued, "The mentality of power, which seeks to deprive the world of human rights, specifically targets women. They want to kill women and destroy their lives. Women desire a peaceful and equal life. Women have organized their struggle and resistance according to the thought and philosophy of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, and they have overcome their enemies with all their strength, declaring their rejection of the mentality of power."

Nadia added that women, through their existence and independence, are the heritage of society. She said, "Through their struggle and resistance, women have revived the world. Today, we celebrate with Leader Abdullah Ocalan and all women."

The march ended with chants of "Women, life, freedom" and "No life without the leader."

Aleppo

Hundreds of residents from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo, along with representatives from women's movements and members of the Internal Security Forces – Women, participated in a mass march organized by the Kongra Star in coordination with the Young Women's Union. The march began in front of the March 8th meeting hall in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood and proceeded through several streets.

Upon reaching al-jabbanat (The Cemetery) area, the participants held a minute of silence. Then, Rehana Alo, the member of the Kongra Star coordination in Aleppo, delivered a speech in which she affirmed that the struggle for women's liberation, initiated by the Mirabal sisters in the modern era, is being continued today in Kurdistan by the female leaders who martyred and have proven their ability to lead society.

Alo stated that societies where women are not liberated will not achieve true societal liberation. She condemned the ongoing violations against women in fascist states' regimes that suppress women's freedom, particularly in Iran, which issues death sentences against female activists. She also criticized the policies of the Syrian Transitional Government since it assumed power, stating that its mentality is based on the exclusion of women.

For her part, Shams Ali Eddin, the administrator in the Young Women's Union, stated that women who believe in the ideology of Leader Abdullah Ocalan will stand against the policies of patriarchal regimes and capitalist forces that attempt to restrict women and marginalize their role in society.

The march concluded with chants of "Women, life, freedom."

J.J

ANHA