YRJ affirms commitment to uncovering truth, defending women's freedom

On the occasion of its fifth anniversary, the Women’s Media Union (YRJ) issued a statement today during a special event held at the theater auditorium of the Mohammad Sheikho Center for Culture and Art in the city of Qamishlo.

The event was attended by a large number of women journalists and media workers from various components of North and East Syria, dressed in their traditional attire reflecting the cultural diversity and shared identity of the region. Each media worker also carried tools symbolizing her work in conveying the truth to the world.

The statement was read in Kurdish by Union Administrative Member Newroz Demhat, and in Arabic by Union Spokesperson Arin Swed.

The statement read:

“Today marks the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Media Union (YRJ), which emerged as a historical and organizational necessity to create a free and democratic media that reflects the concerns of women and society and resists the patriarchal mindset that has marginalized women for decades.

Our establishment was not merely an organizational step but the result of a long history of struggle by women in the media field and the immense sacrifices made by women journalists in the pursuit of truth.

On this occasion, we remember our martyred comrades: Cîhan Bîlgîn, Dilîşan Îbiş, Eylûl Nûhilat, Rohenda Efrîn, Dilovan Gever and Arîn Cûdî — and all those who gave their lives to build a resistant feminist media. Their voices have become beacons lighting the path of our continued struggle.

We view journalism as a tool of intellectual and organizational resistance to achieve awareness. Throughout history, media institutions that were born under a patriarchal mindset perpetuated that mentality in society and addressed various issues, especially women’s issues, from a narrow, closed-minded perspective.

Therefore, we see the establishment of a free media space as essential in breaking the stereotypical, authoritarian, and patriarchal images imposed on women.

Inspired by the philosophy of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, which states: ‘Women’s freedom is the basis of society’s freedom,’ we believe that amplifying women’s voices in the media is a fundamental step toward building a free and just society.

Although YRJ's experience spans only five years, it is rooted in a deep and comprehensive legacy that has consistently questioned the institutional concepts imposed by patriarchal thinking and sought to create alternatives. YRJ has emerged as one of those alternative institutional models.

Our work began with a group of women and succeeded in forming a model to be followed in journalism and media work. This was achieved in collaboration with women’s organizations within general media institutions and dozens of women-led media and publishing organizations.

Today, with more than 500 women journalists and media workers, YRJ continues its activities across various media fields, strengthening its position as an alternative platform addressing social, environmental, economic, and political issues with a particular focus on promoting women’s roles.

In the region of North and East Syria, women journalists have played a pioneering role in conveying the reality of war and resistance to the world. They succeeded in amplifying the voice of the people by documenting every moment of the struggle against occupation, looting, and the destruction of the social fabric.

They took the frontlines and stood firm against attempts by occupiers to silence voices and suppress the truth, relying on their cameras, voices, and pens as tools of resistance and means of exposing reality.

Despite escalating political, economic, and humanitarian crises in the Middle East and the world, we affirm that our project to build a free and democratic media will not stop. We will continue our struggle for a media that reflects women’s realities and the struggles of peoples, and elevates societal awareness toward values of freedom, equality, and shared life.

On this occasion, we proudly salute every woman working in the media field and every woman contributing to building a free and independent voice. We also reaffirm our commitment to continue the path we began and to achieve the goals for which our union was established. 

A-H 

ANHA