K Star: Protecting women’s gains is responsibility for building democratic, pluralistic Syria

Kongra Star affirmed that the July 19 Revolution, which began in the city of Kobani in 2012, represented a historic turning point in North and East Syria—not only politically but also socially.

In a statement issued this Saturday marking the fourteenth anniversary of the revolution’s inception, Kongra Star noted that the movement—which started in Kobani and subsequently spread across many areas of North and East Syria—has cemented its place in the collective memory of the region's peoples as a pivotal historic milestone. This is particularly true regarding the reshaping of women's roles and status within social life.

The statement also paid respectful tribute to the revolution’s martyrs who lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom and equality—foremost among them the pioneering women who made immense sacrifices. It emphasized that their legacy remains a vital reference point for coexistence among peoples, for women's freedom, and for the ongoing effort to build a democratic society.

Kongra Star highlighted that the July 19 Revolution was not merely an event that shifted the balance of political power; rather, it represented a social transformation that redefined women's roles in society. The era saw an increasing presence of women in politics, local administration, education, social life, and self-defense—achievements the statement identified as among the revolution's most significant accomplishments.

It added that the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) emerged during this period not merely as a military force, but also as a symbol of women’s self-organization and an embodiment of their capacity to defend themselves and their rights—a development that has helped strengthen women's presence across various spheres of life.

The statement emphasized that preserving the gains women have achieved is a matter of vital importance amidst ongoing discussions regarding the country's future. It affirmed a rejection of any attempts to restrict women's participation in public life, exclude them from decision-making positions, or reshape society according to monolithic visions that diminish the role of women.

It noted that any approach imposing predetermined roles on women—or granting others the right to dictate how they live, what they wear, where they work, their participation in political life, or their right to shape their own future—threatens not only women's freedom but the freedom of society as a whole.

Kongra Star asserted that democracy cannot flourish in a society where women are excluded from public life, that justice is undermined when women are left out of decision-making processes, and that equality cannot be achieved without recognizing women's efforts and contributions.

It added that confining women’s presence within pre-determined boundaries silences society and narrows its future horizons.It noted that approaches reducing women's freedom to their bodies—or seeking to marginalize them and limit their participation in various spheres of life—do not foster social harmony; rather, they deepen polarization and exacerbate inequality.

The statement emphasized that true security is achieved when women are able to live freely and participate on an equal footing in education, politics, the economy, and all aspects of social life.

In conclusion, Kongra Star reaffirmed that protecting the rights and gains women have secured through years of struggle and sacrifice is a shared responsibility incumbent upon all those striving to build a democratic, pluralistic Syria. It stressed that a future recognizing women's agency as a fundamental force in building society constitutes the essential pillar for coexistence among peoples, equal citizenship, and the achievement of lasting peace.

Sh-S

ANHA