Fourth conference of Women’s Media Union kicks off

Under the slogan “By Developing the Women’s Media Union, We Will Be the Voice of the Women’s Revolution,” the fourth conference of the YRJ is being held in the hall of Rojava University in Qamishlo, Jazira Canton, North and East Syria.

The conference hall displayed portraits of Leader Abdullah Ocalan and a screen behind the podium showing images of women martyrs and pioneers in media and the women’s struggle, including: Gurbetelli Ersoz, Sakine Cansiz, Deniz Firat, Cihan Bilgin, Axin Amûdê, Eylûl Nûrhilat, Arîn Cûdî, Agirî Yilmaz, Nûjiyan Erhan, Gulistan Tara, Dilovan Gever, Hêro Bahadîn, Şîlan Botan, Şîlan Ezgî, Rosîda Mardîn, Rohenda Xemgîn, Şevîn Bîngol, Roza Rênas Amed, Şîlan Baqî, Sarya Onur, Şaristan Asmîn, Dilîşan Îbîş, Koçerîn Rojîn and Avrîn Mahsûm.

Also highlighted was a message from Leader Abdullah Ocalan to the Gurbetellî Ersoz Awards, which stated: “It is the duty of all of us to commemorate Gurbetellî, and to pass on her ideas and struggle to future generations. Today I remember her with reverence and longing; her light illuminates the path of free media.”

Alongside 150 delegates, the conference is attended by Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, as well as a number of writers and representatives from Kongra Star, women’s institutions in the Autonomous Administration, the Syrian Democratic Council, and the Democratic Society Movement.

The conference began with a minute of silence, followed by the opening speech by Arin Sweid, spokesperson for the YRJ, who welcomed the attendees.

In her speech, Arin commemorated the women martyrs of freedom and media, stating: “The conference was supposed to be held every two years, but due to the regional situation and the war in Syria, we could not do so. Today, the region and Syria witness oppression and tyranny, particularly against women’s identity. This underscores the importance of the Women’s Media Union. That is why we established this organization. We courageously reported the massacres against Alawites and Druze. Today, our identity is women, not just journalists. Women can also lead the peace process and raise their voices. I want to honor our martyrs; we reached this day thanks to their efforts. The Women’s Media Union started with 50 women and now includes more than 500 members. We grow every day, and we remain committed to our promise: Women, Life, Freedom.”

Following the opening speech, the conference administration elected a five-member executive board.

The agenda includes a video segment on the YRJ’s work, speeches on behalf of the Autonomous Administration and Kongra Star, the reading of the four-year work report, discussions on organizational structure and internal regulations, the election of the new board, and concluding with a closing statement.

The third conference of the YRJ was held on June 28, 2020, with the participation of 86 delegates, during which the Union was officially established. Today, the Union has 557 members. According to the Union’s internal regulations, the conference is meant to be held every two years, but due to security conditions and attacks on the region, it has not convened for four years.

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ANHA