Journalist Rojbin Deniz: “Woman, Life, Freedom” Uprising encompassed entire society

In an interview with ANHA agency on the third anniversary of the killing of the young Kurdish woman Jina Amini by the Iranian “Morality Police” and the launch of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhalat) and Iran, journalist Rojbin Deniz discussed the event’s significance.

At the outset, Deniz highlighted the Iranian regime’s pressures and repression on society, especially targeting women, stating:
“Following 1979 and the Islamic Revolution, the mullahs’ regime was ******established in Iran. Initially, the regime enjoyed a certain degree of popular acceptance, primarily because the prior Pahlavi autocratic regime had heavily oppressed women, youth, and the entire society. People hoped for a democratic system. However, once the mullahs seized power, they intensified repression, particularly against women. Yet, Iranian society has a long history of resistance. In recent years, whenever the regime faced crises, its oppression of society, especially women, increased. In 2017, it enacted a compulsory hijab law, exerting control not only over women’s bodies but also their minds, thoughts, and movements essentially, over society at large.”

Deniz noted that women rebelled against this repression by wearing white clothing in what became known as “White Wednesdays,” although these acts were initially unorganized.

“The ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Uprising Has Encompassed the Entire Society”

Referring to the uprising triggered by Jina Amini’s murder on September 16, 2022, under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” Deniz said:
“The public’s outrage at the regime’s practices exploded. Following Amini’s death, women’s uprising began under the banner of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom.’ This uprising was different from previous ones, it spread throughout society and included all social segments. It was no longer confined to a slogan or three words but reached across Iran, the region, and the world. Fundamentally, the uprising was not just against the ‘Morality Police’ or any governmental institution, nor was it simply a matter of law. Society and women declared through their protests: ‘We will no longer endure this regime.’ Many expected this uprising to end quickly like others, but it has continued for nearly two years. Society’s stance was clear across all segments women and men alike. At its core, this uprising represents the people’s position against the Iranian regime.”

“‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Is No Longer Merely a Slogan but Has Become a System and Model”

Regarding the origin of the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” Deniz explained:
“In the 1980s and 1990s, when the Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom began, it was rooted in an ideology that integrated women into this struggle. On the issue of women, Leader Abdullah Ocalan shares examples of his personal struggles from childhood. The women’s struggle for freedom is based on this foundation, progressively led by women themselves. Ocalan states: ‘The words woman and life share the same root and cannot be separated. What we understand here is that woman cannot be separated from life.’ However, when we look at society today, we see the exact opposite women are associated only with death, whether through killing, assault, neglect, or repression under the guise of ‘honor, laws, and policies.’ Ocalan emphasized this conflict and built his cause on it. It was not mere rhetoric or theoretical concept since the 1990s, women have organized, established their own army, and taken their place in politics and economics. Woman and life must come together; when they do, society is liberated. The slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom,’ which gained prominence in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat), is based on this. Women across the region and the world embraced and adopted it. All women sought freedom, but its nature and means were unclear until they found a concrete model in the philosophy of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom,’ which has become a practical model through Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria. As this model (democratic, ecological, and guaranteeing women’s freedom) evolved, it transcended being a mere slogan, becoming a system with clear structure and form.”

The Crackdown on Protesters

Deniz highlighted the escalation of violence and repression by the Iranian regime during the uprising:

“The Iranian regime feared the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ revolution and intensified its attacks, which became more violent, especially in Balochistan, known as ‘Black Friday.’ Prior to this, an Iranian army officer assaulted a 15-year-old girl, coinciding roughly with the uprising’s onset, which ignited widespread anger in Balochistan. The response was strong, but the regime’s police attacks led to the deaths of 130 people and the arrest of hundreds. Notably, when the regime attacks civil society, it targets their eyes, especially women’s eyes as if saying, ‘If you are to live, live blind.’ Since then, the regime has killed an estimated 550 people, including 49 women and 38 children, according to official figures, though local sources suggest the numbers are higher. More than 19,000 people have been arrested, many still imprisoned, with a significant proportion women. Eleven people, including politicians and artists, have been executed. University students leading the uprising were also targeted, and these figures continue to rise.”

Deniz drew attention to women cutting their hair during the uprising as a powerful form of protest:

“Hair is not just part of a woman’s body but carries deep philosophical, social, and psychological meanings. Women cut their hair during the uprising, and this act spread worldwide. What do women do when they are extremely angry or in deep pain, seeking to change the status quo from their hearts? They cut their hair. This was a strong response to the Iranian regime.”

“The Media Supported the Uprising and Exposed the Iranian Regime”

Deniz stressed the crucial role of media in covering the uprising in Iran and East Kurdistan and in exposing the regime:

“Media is a primary tool in methods of struggle. Those who struggle and propose solutions are the media. The media played a vital role during the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ revolution it was an essential part of the struggle.

There is no freedom of the press in Iran, and heavy pressure is applied. Even Iranian media itself does not accept this regime, as expressed by Jina Amini. Just as every social group had a role on the ground during the uprisings, so did the media. Without the media, we could not have spoken about this resistance or heard about Jina Amini and empathized with her. Journalists who covered these events later faced arrest and severe pressure. Media outlets in Iran and worldwide have acted as revolutionaries defending society. They have paid a high price and played a decisive role.”

“The Death Penalty Can Be Overturned Through Unified and Comprehensive Struggle”

Deniz also spoke about the resistance of activists imprisoned by the Iranian regime and the death sentences against three activists—Bakhshiyan Azizi, Sharifa Mohammadi, and Wareesha Moradi:

“A notable slogan emerged during the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ uprisings: ‘Evin Prison has turned into a center of thought and philosophy, while the university in Tehran has become a prison.’ Society expressed the current reality best with this slogan. Iranian prisons today resemble those in Northern Kurdistan (Bakur) and Turkey. Resistance in prisons has increased since the 1980s, creating change in the Middle East and paving the way for solutions. The same is happening in Iran, led by these three activists. Through them, thousands of women in prisons resist and bring about social change. Their messages pulse with the spirit of resistance. All segments of society, especially women, must prevent executions in the spirit of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ uprising and through comprehensive struggle.”

Deniz concluded by underscoring the ongoing nature of the women’s revolution and called on women to strengthen their struggle:
“We must develop this through a Women’s Confederation. This is what we need as women. Women are closer to freedom than ever before—this is a fact.

ANHA