The "Rojava Revolution", which expresses a new system in favour of women and peoples in the Middle East, has inspired the women of the world and determined the character of the new century. The influential force of the revolution was undoubtedly the women who fought against ISIS. Involved in the construction in all areas of life, especially in politics, economy and defence, women increased their representation in the Autonomous Administration to 52 percent.

 

Kurdish, Arab, Armenian, Turkmen, Assyrian and Circassian women broke the chains of male domination surrounding them with the Women's Defence Units (YPJ). YPJ Spokesperson Ruksen Mihemed spoke about the importance of women's army and self-defence in a century of escalating wars.

 

WOMAN WAS ALWAYS THE TARGET

 

Stating that the male state mentality continues its policy of extermination from the Mirabal Sisters to Sakine Cansız, Ruksen Mihemed said: "We know that the policy of extermination against women is a policy implemented by male states all over the world. We are aware that women are targeted by special war policies as well as murders. They want to slaughter democracy, justice and togetherness in the person of women. By murdering women, they are trying to ensure that these concepts do not find a place in society. The capitalist system has always targeted women and continues to do so. Against this, women should strengthen their struggle and resistance not only on 25 November, but also by being aware of why violence is the target of the male mentality."

 

FREE WOMEN AND SOCIETY CLAIM

 

On why the male mentality targets women, Ruksen Mihemed stated the following: "Because women are the source of life. It is women who will bring democracy and peace. Therefore, those who want to divide a land, those who want to destroy democracy and justice and target women. Today, if we can talk about revolution, democracy, peace, justice, freedom, culture and language, all this was done by women. If we do not have a policy such as self-defence, we will experience a process in which attacks increase every day and we will face extinction. That is why self-defence is one of the most important things. If we have a claim for a free woman, society and life, we need to protect ourselves for this." 

 

Ruksen Mihemed said that women should take part in life on the basis of self-defence in the new order and emphasised that if the level of self-defence is not maintained, colonialism will spread and deepen.

 

VITAL IMPORTANCE OF SELF-DEFENCE

 

Underlining the need to develop self-defence at every step, "This is how we will eliminate the mentality that thinks of slaughtering life in the person of women. We will create a woman identity that knows, recognises and defends itself. We see how vital self-defence is in this process where the 3rd World War is being waged. If self-defence is not increased, the attacks will grow even more," Ruksen Mihemed said.

 

WOMEN'S POLICIES IN TURKEY

 

Ruksen Mihemed said that women's achievements are especially targeted in Turkey, where massacres of women have increased in recent years. "Turkey's point of women's massacres is in front of our eyes. What does this represent? It represents the wild order that Turkey has come to. Women are massacred every day in Northern Kurdistan. Women's representation such as co-chairmanship is targeted. With this, women's representation and women's political existence are being targeted. The male-state mind is tried to be perpetuated with these attacks," she said. 

 

'WOMEN'S STRUGGLE IS THE ANTIDOTE TO WAR'

 

Ruksen Mihemed stated that they will act with the philosophy of "Jin jiyan azadî" against the policies of destruction and annihilation developed against women, and reiterated once again their claims for the women's century. 

 

Ruksen Mihemed continued as follows: "The antidote to war policies is women's struggle and liberation. With the prescription of democratic modernity, the patriarchal system will disappear all over the world. It is the only prescription that every individual who wants to live in freedom and peace will turn to. In 2025, we will continue to defend our flag and our system of democratic modernity with the slogan 'Jin jiyan azadî' and expand its field. By deepening our organisation, we will continue to struggle wherever there is a woman who is subjected to violence and faces the policy of extinction. Organising is self-defence for all women."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli