Announcing establishment of Kurdish Women's Union platform

A meeting was held on April 7th for representatives of 24 Kurdish women's organizations and political parties, with the aim of strengthening national unity and joint action on issues related to women and society, most notably the establishment of the Kurdish Women's Union Platform.

According to a statement issued following the meeting, the platform aims to expand the concept of national unity to include political, social, economic, and cultural aspects, beyond being confined to the party framework, by developing democratic organization and building diverse unions in various fields.

The statement read:

"We are living through a fateful phase in the global order. During World War I, the formation of the global order led to the emergence of nation-state structures in the Middle East and the fragmentation of Kurdistan. A hundred years later, we have entered a new process that has led to the collapse of these nation-states. This change is due to the struggle of our people for freedom, who have suffered occupation and genocide for a hundred years.

The Kurdish people have endured great hardships under the occupation, but their struggle over the past century has led to the collapse of the occupation system imposed on Kurdistan. At this historical stage, with the great dangers threatening our people's identity, the chances of achieving freedom have increased significantly.

During World War I, the Kurdish people, like many peoples in the region, were promised the establishment of their own state as a result of the new maps of that period. However, the Kurdish leaders at that time remained confined within their regions and were unable to unite their ranks. The agreements concluded led to the division of Kurdistan and the abolition of its identity. Therefore, it is necessary to form a national union to achieve our aspirations and goals.

For us, We, Kurdish women, and the National Union of Kurdish Women represent freedom and dignity. The continued occupation of Kurdistan means the continuation of violations against women. Kurdish women have lived under brutal colonialism for a hundred years, subjected to rape, massacres, and kidnapping.

The first condition for women's freedom is freedom from occupation. The only way to end occupation and all forms of violence and oppression against women is to strengthen Kurdish national unity. Accordingly, the Union of Kurdish Women represents the struggle for freedom.

Based on this, we, representatives of 24 women's organizations and political parties from the four parts of Kurdistan, gathered under the slogan "National Union of Kurdish Women Meeting" on April 7, 2025, to develop and build national unity.

Among the key issues discussed were that the National Union must be inclusive, not limited to political parties, and must promote the building of a democratic society and a democratic political union. It must also strengthen the National Union in all social, economic, political, cultural, educational, legal, administrative, parliamentary, and union fields.

Emphasizing the holding of a Kurdish women's festival every year, as well as building a solidarity network for children displaced by wars and disasters in all parts of Kurdistan, in addition to holding a national conference for Kurdish women as soon as possible.

In order to implement these proposals, we must organize ourselves as the "Kurdish Women's Union Platform."

The Kurdish Women's Union Platform's appeal to all Kurdish women:

We call on all women's representatives, organizations, and movements in Kurdistan to participate in this "platform" to build a national union as a step toward freedom. No movement, organization, or party in Kurdistan can triumph without a national union.

We are facing a historic test that we must successfully pass. That success lies in the unity of women in all four parts, thus ending the occupation. If we can form a national union, we will achieve a free Kurdistan.

Our Call to All Political Parties and Organizations in Kurdistan

National unity is the development of Kurdish democracy. Fragmentation hinders the progress of Kurdish democracy. There must be a union where diverse people can come together and discuss their common problems and ways to solve them. The time has come to realize a common Kurdish vision. We call on everyone to work for national unity with high spirits, make sacrifices, and not retreat. As free Kurdish women and men, we all deserve to live freely and equally within the framework of unity.

Participating organizations and parties on the platform:

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Kurdistan Women's Union, Women's Wing of the Islamic Movement in Kurdistan, Star Conference, Free Women's Movement (TJA), Democratic Union Party (PYD), Women's Committee of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), Gorran Movement, Peoples' Democracy and Equality Party (DEM), Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Women's Wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, Communist Party, Socialist Party, Democratic Socialist Party (PDS), Peace Leaders, Yazidi Women's Movement (TAJÊ), Unity Office, Kurdistan Women's Association, Kurdish Women's Movement in Europe (TJK-E), Kurdish Women's Center for Foreign Relations (REPAK), Kurdistan Progress Network, Kurdish Democratic Union Party in Syria, Human and Freedom Party (PİA), Free Women's Association in East Kurdistan (KJAR).

T/S

ANHA