Qamshlo march: System that does not recognize women's existence does not represent us

As part of the "We are all YPJ... YPJ represents us" campaign, launched last April to support the People's Protection Units (YPJ) and demand their official recognition, Qamishlo witnessed on Sunday a mass march attended by residents of Qamishlo, Derik, and Tirbê Spîyê. The event saw broad participation from women and young women, dozens of fighters and female leaders from the Women's Protection Units, as well as activists, intellectuals, and members of women's organizations across the region.

The march began in front of Soni Roundabout in the city center, where participants raised flags of the Women's Protection Units and photographs of the fighters who had martyred in battles against ISIS mercenaries, along with banners emphasizing women's vital role in defending their rights and safeguarding their achievements.

The march swept through the city's main streets, with participants chanting slogans such as "We are all YPJ,"  "Women, Life, Freedom," and "Long live the YPJ resistance."

The march concluded at al-Shuhadaa (Martyrs) Square in the city center, evolving into a public rally، during which several speeches were delivered by the member of the Kongra Star Coordination Gulistan Gilo and the member of the General Command of the Women's Protection Units Rulat Afrin.

Before the speeches began, the participants held a moment of silence in tribute to the martyrs. Then, Gulistan Gilo; the member of the Kongra Star, delivered a speech that opened with highlighting the resistance carried out by the fighter of the Women's Protection Units.

"A system that does not acknowledge the existence of women does not represent us"

Gulistan Gilo stated: "On behalf of all women's movements and organizations in Jazeera, we extend our greetings to our people and women. As you know, we launched a campaign to support the fighters of the Women's Protection Units and to demand recognition of their existence. Today, as part of this campaign, we organized marches across various cities from Kobani to Hasaka and Qamishlo. We also extend our congratulations to the women, activists, and human rights defenders in European countries who have supported our campaign to ensure women's right to existence and identity."

She added: "For 14 years, we have fought and struggled to build a democratic Syria and overthrow the Ba 'ath regime, which destroyed the country and violated women's rights. However and unfortunately, the Interim Government is further suppressing women and marginalizing their role and will. New decisions have been issued that undermine the will of the Syrian people and their right to participate in shaping their state's future. Just days ago, the establishment of a' People's Council' was announced without the consent of the people or the involvement of women. We reject these decisions; we have strggled for a free society and a free family where women and men enjoy equal rights."

Gulistan Gilo pointed out that this mindset is an extension of the Ba 'ath Party's ideology, which has historically used violence against women. She stated, "They openly refuse to recognize the YPJ organized forces that fought against ISIS and made significant sacrifices instead of honoring and thanking them. Therefore, we reject this regime, as it neither represents us nor our society or our women."

For her part, Ruhlat Afrin; the member of the General Leadership of Women's Protection Units, stated: "Today, thousands of women from Qamishlo to Europe representing various communities are taking to the streets to demand recognition of YPJ. These events are sacred to us, and as such, we will continue our struggle as YPJ until women's existence and rights are enshrined in the Syrian constitution. This requires the collective efforts and solidarity of all women; moreover, the new Syria must represent all its constituent groups and social strata, rather than exclude or marginalize any of them. We reject anyone who seeks to undermine our presence or deny our will."

For his part, Jamal, a resident of Qamishlo city, recited poetic verses emphasizing the importance of the components' solidarity, through which he expressed his support and affection for the resistance efforts led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The march concluded with shouting the slogans that honor the Women's Protection Units, as well as the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom."

ANHA