Women's media marks 14 years of the July 19 Revolution

Over the past 14 years of the July 19 Revolution, media in Rojava and North and East Syria has evolved beyond simply reporting the news to becoming an archive documenting every stage of the revolution. Throughout this period, women have become a cornerstone of media work. Hundreds of female journalists have participated in various fields, including reporting, editing, photography, production, and broadcasting. They have also played a key role in covering major battles and attacks, reporting from the front lines during the fight against ISIS and the Turkish occupation.

During this journey, several female journalists were martyred while carrying out their media duties, following the path of pioneering women journalists Garbet Ali Arasuz, Shilan Aras, and Deniz Fırat. Their names have become symbols of resistant journalism and sacrifice.

Speaking about the role played by female journalists throughout the July 19 Revolution, and how they used their pens and cameras to convey the truth and document events from the heart of the battlefield, a number of women journalists working in different media sectors shared their experiences with ANHA agency, reflecting on the progress women's media has achieved during the years of the revolution.

In this context, Avashin Helin, a member of Star FM Radio in Qamishlo, spoke about the place of women in the July 19 Revolution. She said that the revolution is also known as the "Women's Revolution," especially after 14 years since it began in Kobani and expanded its influence across different regions.

Avashin explained that women's organization did not begin with the outbreak of the revolution. Rather, women had already been organizing themselves before the revolution, although much of their work was carried out secretly. She noted that this earlier period laid the foundation for the women's movement that later grew and became firmly established with the start of the revolution.

She added: "Women organized themselves in the economic, political, and educational fields, especially in the social and military spheres, where they built their own forces and defended themselves. Media was one of these fields. Women established their own media institutions and became the voice and identity of women."

In addition to general news coverage, an independent administration and a women's publishing body were established to develop publication plans focused on women's issues. These bodies contribute to general media coverage while following the principles of women's freedom. They also prepare news reports, files, research, and specialized programs on women's issues, including discussions and dedicated platforms.

Speaking on this, Avashin said: "We moved from media controlled by the state's mentality before the revolution to media created by women today. Issues such as violence against women, child marriage, and violations of women's rights were once addressed only in a limited and hesitant way. Today, women themselves are the voices exposing these issues, discussing them openly, and contributing to finding solutions."

Avashin pointed out that Star FM Radio, JIN NEWS Agency, JIN TV, and the Women's Horizons Magazine are all products of the revolution. She continued: "These media outlets operate at the heart of the struggle. From this experience, the Women's Media Union (YRJ) was established as an umbrella organization for women journalists, alongside women's work in many general media institutions. The goal is for media to become the voice of truth for women and society. Women have created their own media policy and demonstrated how events can be covered from a woman's perspective."

Avashin remembered all the women journalists who lost their lives while carrying out their work. She said they stood on the front lines, using their cameras to reveal the truth and their pens to record history and reality.

"We will remain faithful to their legacy."

Media... The Echo of the Revolution and Women

For her part, Ronida Haji, a correspondent for the Women's News Agency (NUJINHA), congratulated people on the anniversary of the revolution and remembered all the women martyrs. She said: "The media field was the deepest aspect of the revolution, and it was what gave the revolution its voice and resonance."

She added: "At the beginning of the revolution, women journalists struggled against society's mentality. Through their determination, they changed that reality and broke barriers."

She continued: "With our pens and cameras, we stepped onto the screens and accepted our role and responsibility in the revolution. The mission we took upon ourselves was to reveal the truth, change mindsets, and educate society through media content."

Ronida explained that every media institution was established through tremendous effort, with limited resources and only a small number of women members. She added: "Today, we have a great opportunity to write, think, and speak in the media field in the Kurdish language, and to express our opinions and our pain. That in itself is our achievement."

She also pointed out that the media has been the platform that carried the philosophy of "Woman, Life, Freedom" to the world, where women today unite their energies through women's media institutions.

Ronida concluded by renewing her commitment to continue on the path of the martyrs, to struggle in the field of media, and to convey women's voices with transparency and clarity.

Women Journalists Documented the Resistance of Kobani

Slava Ahmed, a correspondent for Ronahi Newspaper in Kobani, congratulated people on the anniversary of the revolution and remembered the martyrs of the free press.

She said: "Building a revolution within the revolution—known as the Women's Revolution—is the result of years of struggle and perseverance that brought about profound changes."

She added: "One of the most important steps taken was journalism, and we chose this path. From the very first moments of the revolution in Kobani, it was women journalists who documented the resistance and the war."

She continued: "Despite social pressures, limited opportunities, and a lack of knowledge and resources, women journalists entered revolutionary work. They sought to become the voice of truth, conveying the suffering of their people and of women, fighting with their cameras, pens, and words."

She said: "When we decided to become the voice of truth, we faced threats, attacks, and attempts to stop our work. Yet despite everything, we continued. Some of our colleagues were martyred on this path, and we have carried on their journey with determination and great love."

Slava emphasized that the women's struggle is based on rejecting the assignment of women to secondary roles in society and administration. She explained that the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) are a clear example of this, as they strive to remain an independent force rather than a subordinate one.

She concluded: "We reaffirm that we will never abandon our revolution, nor the women's resistance whose echo has reached the world. We are the guardians of this legacy, and we renew our pledge to protect it until the end."

a.k

ANHA