Whilst the war that began on 28 February between Israel, the US and Iran continues, the regime is maintaining its attacks on the parties forming the Political Forces Coalition of Iranian Kurdistan. The only force within the Kurdish forces that has a separate women’s defence unit is the Hêzên Parastina Jinê (Women’s Defence Forces – HPJ). 

 

Rojîn Fesîh, a member of the HPJ Command, spoke to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA), emphasising the organisation’s determination to bring women’s power to the future of the Middle East, which hegemonic powers seek to redesign.

 

WOMEN IN IRAN AND ROJHILAT 

 

Rojîn Fesîh noted that women have waged serious struggles for years across Iran, particularly in Rojhilat, to secure their rights and freedoms. “They took part in these movements. Women’s struggle was one of the reasons for the collapse of the monarchy and the Shah’s regime. However, following the establishment of the Islamic Republic, the patriarchal and male-dominated system’s attacks on women have continued to intensify," she stated. 

 

Recalling that the regime that came to power in Iran in 1979 had made promises to women of ‘freedom’ and the ‘construction of a just society’, Rojîn Fesîh said that as time went on, the regime sought to strip women of even their existing rights. “Women were subjected to far greater hardships. Murders, arrests, deprivation of rights, silencing and exclusion from social life have increased significantly. This situation continues today. Because women are still resisting in various ways and refuse to accept oppression and violence," she said. 

 

THE STRUGGLE FOR WOMEN, LIFE AND FREEDOM

 

Noting that women from Rojhilat have been involved in the struggle for years, influenced by the “freedom” paradigm of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Rojîn Fesîh said: “The women’s freedom movement, inspired by Leader Apo’s philosophy, has waged an uninterrupted struggle. Many sacrifices were made in this struggle. Significant intellectual and ideological transformations took place under the leadership of Kurdish women. Similarly, within this struggle, the resistance of Şirin Elemhulî and Zilan (Zeynep Kınacı) formed an important legacy among the women of Rojhilat. They became an example for all Iranian women. The women had now gained experience in fighting for their freedom. Women, who refused to bow to any form of oppression or domination, became the voice and cry of freedom. It was during this time that the slogan ‘Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)’ began to carry not just three ordinary words, but political, social and philosophical meaning. For this reason, many women united around this slogan, and it acquired a universal character. The issue of women’s freedom was not merely a physical matter; it became a social issue encompassing all areas of society. Women’s struggle, in turn, became the concern of the whole of society. Men, too, began to realise that their own freedom and the freedom of society were linked to women’s freedom. This situation reminds us once again of Leader Apo’s historic words: ‘Society cannot be free unless women are free.’”

 

THE THIRD WORLD WAR 

 

Referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel, the US and Iran, Rojîn Fesîh noted that the wars described as the Third World War began long ago, stating that this conflict is still ongoing, and added: "The war has reached a very critical stage with Iran’s involvement. Every power in the war is looking out for its own interests, and of course the people of the region are affected by this. Those most deeply affected are women and children. As a fundamental force in the democratic struggle, women are standing up against all forms of the dominant patriarchal mindset and advocating for peace rather than war. This is all the more important at a time when the Middle East is in the throes of a deep political, social and economic crisis and regional stability has collapsed. War inevitably leads to displacement, demographic change, increased poverty and serious damage to the environment." 

 

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND KURDISH UNITY

 

Rojîn Fesîh noted that women have proven themselves to be the driving force behind Kurdish national unity since the Treaty of Lausanne, highlighting that this reality underlies the Kurds’ significant and influential role, particularly in the Middle East. She stated that women’s leadership forms the foundations of the unity of peoples and democratic nations. 

 

“Unrelenting attacks against women continue. The capitalist system seeks to sever women from their essence and alienate them from their identities and emotions. The fundamental reason for these attacks is the system’s deep-seated fear of women’s will and power. For it knows that when women gain strength and consciousness, they will not accept oppression, they will stand against injustice, and they will continue the struggle,” Rojîn Fesîh concluded: “Our aim is for women to return to their true selves and reclaim their identities and will. The paradigm of our movement has enabled many women to join this struggle of their own volition. Because women see their own freedom within this structure. For us, women’s self-realisation is a matter of great importance. Only through transformation and collective struggle can we become a force for change against the systematic attacks of the dominant patriarchal system. Such a transformation can affect the whole of society. Self-organisation is one of the methods for protecting both society and women. We do not view this as limited solely to the Kurdish people; we believe that the solutions put forward by women are universal solutions. In conclusion, I can say that an alternative world created by women is possible."

 

MA / Ceylan Sahinli