Evin Swed: Leader’s call guides women's struggle 

Evin Swed, the Co-Chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, affirmed that Kurdish women are currently engaged in a fundamental struggle for freedom and identity, and are actively contributing to the construction of a new system based on the values of democracy, equality, and justice.

Her statements came as she joined the Kurdish women parliamentarians’ conference held in the city of Amed in North Kurdistan via Zoom. She began her speech by greeting all the participants in the conference, stressing that this gathering is taking place at a historic and critical moment, not only for the journey of Kurdish women, but for the fate of all the peoples of the region. She emphasized that “women are no longer on the margins of change—they are at its core, driving and shaping every transformation.”

She added that Kurdish women had endured decades of exclusion and marginalization under a culture of male domination and authoritarianism, but they did not wait for anyone to grant them a role. Instead, they seized it through their will, organization, and knowledge. She stated: “From the fields of peaceful struggle to the battlefields, from small villages to the halls of parliament, Kurdish women have proven themselves to be indispensable pillars of any political liberation project.”

Evin Swed highlighted the experience of North and East Syria as a living example of women’s leadership, explaining that women there were not only fighters, but also led institutions, established communes and councils, launched free-thought academies, and redefined politics as a space for participation rather than domination, referring to the co-chair system.

She pointed out that this system is based on the principles of women's freedom, jineolojî (women’s science), and self-organization, aiming to establish an ethical, ecological, and democratic society that ensures women's participation as a fundamental pillar of social and political development.

Evin Swed stated: “Politics not shaped by women is not democratic politics. The freedom of society begins with the freedom of women. Without solidifying justice and equality, we will never achieve a truly free system.”

She warned of increasing challenges in Syria, amidst policies that ignore the rights of women and minorities, and are driven by extremist religious and nationalist ideologies, leading to a rise in violence against women, including murder, kidnapping, and siege, along with attempts to impose arbitrary decisions against them.

She continued: “Silence is no longer an option. We, the women of Syria, are moving today with full determination to build national women’s alliances that transcend political divisions, aiming to defend our achievements and secure no less than 50% representation for women at all constitutional and political levels.”

She also affirmed that the call of Leader Abdullah Ocalan for peace and the construction of a democratic society is a central reference in their project, not only to resolve the Kurdish issue, but also to find fundamental solutions to the crises of the Middle East and Africa.

In conclusion, Evin Swed called on all Kurdish women to convene a national women’s conference bringing together all parts of Kurdistan to play a unified leadership role in building peace and a democratic society in the region.

She expressed confidence that the outcomes of this conference would serve as a strategic step granting women greater presence and influence in shaping the region’s future, saying: “We congratulate this conference from the heart of the revolution and the cradle of resistance, and we believe that the unity of women and peoples will bring about the desired change, end wars, and open the doors to true democracy and peace.”

A-H 

ANHA