Ilham Ahmad: When we speak out, we represent all Syrian women

Today, March 8, is International Women's Day, and a public celebration was held in the Martyr Akid Square in the city of Kobani, attended by thousands of people from the Euphrates Canton, under the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom, Towards a Democratic Syria."

In the celebration, which featured women in their traditional dresses, the co-chair of the Autonomous Administration's Foreign Relations Department, Ilham Ahmad, spoke: "We are going through a historic and decisive phase, and every step or word means determining a long-term future. If we have gathered here today to celebrate March 8 in this way, it is thanks to those who sacrificed their lives for it and those who resist on the front lines of battle. Therefore, we congratulate them and salute them from the bottom of our hearts.

While we celebrate this occasion here, other areas of Syria are witnessing killings and massacres. But wherever these massacres occur, our stance is the same. We consider the killing of women in Latakia and other cities as the killing of us. The issue of women is one, and their fate is one wherever they are. When we raise our voices loudly here, we represent the voice of all Syrian women. As Syrian women, we must stand in solidarity and support each other. These fighters who resist on the battlefronts today are resisting for all the women of Syria.

Women continue their struggle in all fields. Every woman struggles for her children, her community, and for a safe homeland and a society where men and women are equal, and to build a pluralistic Syria. This can only be achieved by the free woman."

For her part, the co-chair of the Martyrs' Families Council in the Euphrates Canton, Sarah Khalil, congratulated all women and leader Abdullah Ocalan on the occasion of March 8, saying: "A few years ago, celebrating International Women's Day was banned by the authorities, but the leader rose up, and all days of women turned into celebrations, and women became involved in all areas of life. We must strengthen the struggle on March 8 and Newroz Day."

The celebration continued with revolutionary and militant songs performed by musical groups.

A-H

ANHA