Kurdish women shape new future

The first conference of Kurdish women in Rojava is continuing at Azadi Park Hall in Qamishlo, attended by around 300 delegates from political parties, intellectuals, writers, artists, journalists, women’s organizations and movements, representatives of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and figures from Aleppo and Damascus.

Following the opening speech, civil activist and member of the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (Al-Parti) Ster Qasim, member of the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (Yekiti) Siham Imuka, the co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Berwin Youssef, the official spokesperson of the Kongra Star conference Rehan Loqou, and the head of the Kurdish Future Movement Narine Metini were selected as members of the conference's administrative committee.

Rehan Temo, a member of the conference's preparatory committee and official spokesperson for the Democratic Relations and Alliances Committee of Kongra Star, presented a report on the political situation in Kurdistan and Syria. The report addressed the Turkish occupation state's attacks and the assaults by its mercenaries on the regions of North and East Syria.

Afterward, Rehan Imuka moderated the "Political Situation" session, where attendees shared their opinions and perspectives.

In her assessment, writer Bashira Darwish referred to the approach and actions of the Damascus authority, stating that the statements and actions of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are not promising.

Jawaher Othman, an administrator in the Council of Martyrs’ Families in North and East Syria, explained that despite all the political attacks against women, women are the ones who deserve the freedom revolution the most. She stated, "The truth of women became evident in the women’s revolution, we have reached this stage and are moving toward global recognition thanks to the martyrs."

Jawaher Othman concluded her speech by saluting the women’s resistance at Tishrin Dam.

Siham Dawood, a member of the Future Syria Party, noted that the Kurds are leading the 21st century. She added, "To prevent the policy of genocide, the Kurds must leave their mark on the current changes. During Nowruz 2025, it was indicated that the Kurds are leading the world, and the desire for unity has emerged."

Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, emphasized that Kurdish women are writing a new chapter for Rojava in the conference hall. She said, "It was very important at this sensitive time, when the fate of the Kurdish people is being determined, to hold this conference so that women can define their role in this process. Syria is currently in a phase of construction and formation, and Syria is distinguished by the presence of various components and cultures. Therefore, the Syrian people are not optimistic about the structure that the Damascus authority seeks to establish. If women fail to define their role in this phase, they will face significant risks. Kurdish women in North and East Syria have raised their voices and possess enough awareness to educate the rest of Syria’s women."

Ilham Ahmed continued, "Today, in this historical phase, all women must take the right stances. Kurdish unity is very important. This process has made some progress, and we hope the conference will be held soon. Kurdish unity is of great importance for building a decentralized Syria. The response to the call of leader Abdullah Ocalan has had a positive impact, and it is very important to embrace this process. Therefore, this conference will be able to leave its mark on Syria's new history."

Additionally, the General Commander of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Nowruz Ahmed, stated that human existence depends on protection. She added, "The Kurdish issue cannot be resolved without solving the issue of women. Systems that have not taken this step have failed to solve their problem. Therefore, the defense and protection clause must be included in the document."

Nowruz Ahmed highlighted the need to strengthen the Women’s Protection Units and said, "Through protection, the philosophy of 'Women, Life, Freedom' became known as a symbol of resistance."

The discussion of the first session of the conference concluded, while the conference’s work continues with the reading and discussion of the draft document of the "First Conference of Kurdish Women in Rojava."

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ANHA