Dear friends,
We are writing to you from Rojava, the heart of the women’s revolution.
Rojava is located in North and East Syria. Since 2013, people here have been living a revolution and organizing themselves in communes, councils, and women’s structures. They are building a social model based on democratic confederalism.
The concept of democratic confederalism was developed by Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdish freedom movement. It describes a grassroots democratic system of administration that is not controlled by the state, but instead builds democracy from within society itself. A central pillar of this social model is the self-determination and liberation of women.
May 1st
Many people take to the streets on May 1st, International Workers’ Day. To build a united force, we must look to history in order to understand the legacy on which our struggle is built, where we stand, and who we are.
To do so, we also need a solid analysis of the political situation as well as patriarchal and capitalist power structures. When we look at the history of May 1st, we see a struggle that began as early as 1886 and continues an even older social tradition.
The traditions of the workers’ movement and socialism find a living expression today in the women’s revolution in Rojava. On the occasion of May 1st, we aim to connect these struggles worldwide and build a bridge between them.
The Initiative for the National Unity of Kurdish Women in Europe published a statement on this occasion addressing the situation of Kurdish women. They linked May 1st to the struggle for freedom and identity.
They emphasized that the lived reality of Kurdish women cannot be reduced to poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, but must be understood in the context of structural oppression and political violence. In addition to economic exploitation, this also includes ethnic discrimination, militarization, displacement, language bans, and inequality in education. This results in a double burden rooted both in the patriarchal-capitalist system and in the assimilation policies of nation-states:
“The struggle for work is, for Kurdish women, also a struggle for identity, freedom, equality, and a life in dignity.”
Referring to the Kurdish women’s movement, they further stated:
“Together with Jin, Jiyan, Azadî, it is time to strengthen solidarity for freedom and justice. Bijî Yek Gulanê!”
Recognition of the mother tongue
On Thursday, thousands of people gathered in the streets of Qamishlo and demonstrated for the recognition of the Kurdish language in the Syrian constitution, as well as in institutions and the education system.
Many women, and especially children, held up signs reading slogans such as “Our language is our existence and identity” and “Our language is our right.” During the march, people chanted in unity: “No life without language.”
Defending one’s own language means defending one’s identity and culture.
Culture is created by people and emerges wherever people come together. Throughout history, culture has been strongly transmitted through language: people gathered, told stories, and passed on valuable knowledge about society, nature, and ways of living together.
Semêra Hecelî, co-chair of the Education Authority of the Self-Administration, referred to the history of the Kurdish language struggle and those who lost their lives in it:
“Our martyrs wrote the letters of the Kurdish language with their blood.”
Regarding the current state of the integration agreement, she stated:
“We will continue to work to ensure that our language is anchored in the constitution. We will not accept less than two hours of instruction per week.”
Theatre rehearsal in Hesekê
The importance of self-defense and art became especially clear during our visit to Hesekê at the Community Center for Art and Culture. There, a group of young women are rehearsing a play under the direction of their teacher, Fatma. The play will be performed as part of the “WeAreAllYPJ” campaign.
It tells the stories of fighters from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
We are writing to you from Rojava, the heart of the women’s revolution.
Rojava is located in North and East Syria. Since 2013, people here have been living a revolution and organizing themselves in communes, councils, and women’s structures. They are building a social model based on democratic confederalism.
The concept of democratic confederalism was developed by Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdish freedom movement. It describes a grassroots democratic system of administration that is not controlled by the state, but instead builds democracy from within society itself. A central pillar of this social model is the self-determination and liberation of women.
May 1st
Many people take to the streets on May 1st, International Workers’ Day. To build a united force, we must look to history in order to understand the legacy on which our struggle is built, where we stand, and who we are.
To do so, we also need a solid analysis of the political situation as well as patriarchal and capitalist power structures. When we look at the history of May 1st, we see a struggle that began as early as 1886 and continues an even older social tradition.
The traditions of the workers’ movement and socialism find a living expression today in the women’s revolution in Rojava. On the occasion of May 1st, we aim to connect these struggles worldwide and build a bridge between them.
The Initiative for the National Unity of Kurdish Women in Europe published a statement on this occasion addressing the situation of Kurdish women. They linked May 1st to the struggle for freedom and identity.
They emphasized that the lived reality of Kurdish women cannot be reduced to poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, but must be understood in the context of structural oppression and political violence. In addition to economic exploitation, this also includes ethnic discrimination, militarization, displacement, language bans, and inequality in education. This results in a double burden rooted both in the patriarchal-capitalist system and in the assimilation policies of nation-states:
“The struggle for work is, for Kurdish women, also a struggle for identity, freedom, equality, and a life in dignity.”
Referring to the Kurdish women’s movement, they further stated:
“Together with Jin, Jiyan, Azadî, it is time to strengthen solidarity for freedom and justice. Bijî Yek Gulanê!”
Recognition of the mother tongue
On Thursday, thousands of people gathered in the streets of Qamishlo and demonstrated for the recognition of the Kurdish language in the Syrian constitution, as well as in institutions and the education system.
Many women, and especially children, held up signs reading slogans such as “Our language is our existence and identity” and “Our language is our right.” During the march, people chanted in unity: “No life without language.”
Defending one’s own language means defending one’s identity and culture.
Culture is created by people and emerges wherever people come together. Throughout history, culture has been strongly transmitted through language: people gathered, told stories, and passed on valuable knowledge about society, nature, and ways of living together.
Semêra Hecelî, co-chair of the Education Authority of the Self-Administration, referred to the history of the Kurdish language struggle and those who lost their lives in it:
“Our martyrs wrote the letters of the Kurdish language with their blood.”
Regarding the current state of the integration agreement, she stated:
“We will continue to work to ensure that our language is anchored in the constitution. We will not accept less than two hours of instruction per week.”
Theatre rehearsal in Hesekê
The importance of self-defense and art became especially clear during our visit to Hesekê at the Community Center for Art and Culture. There, a group of young women are rehearsing a play under the direction of their teacher, Fatma. The play will be performed as part of the “WeAreAllYPJ” campaign.
It tells the stories of fighters from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
Through their facial expressions and body language, the actors create powerful and vivid scenes. Among other things, they depict the battles against ISIS in Şengal, Raqqa, and Kobanê.
The courage and determination for women’s freedom are powerfully embodied by the performers.
The YPJ provides physical protection against patriarchal violence while also strengthening women’s identity. In the current phase of the integration agreement, it also represents the protection of diversity, women’s rights, and democracy.
If the YPJ is not recognized, there can be no real democracy in Syria.
YPJ Campaign
The YPJ campaign was initiated by women’s structures and the YPJ itself to defend the right to an autonomous women’s self-defense force. The YPJ must not be excluded from the Syrian army. Democracy in Syria must be protected.
The campaign calls for active participation. People are encouraged to send in solidarity videos or take part in the hashtag campaign. Materials such as brochures, statements, letters, and actions should be shared via social media or expanded through original contributions.
It also calls for organizing events, seminars, and actions, and for spreading knowledge about the history, struggle, and significance of the YPJ and the achievements of the women’s revolution, especially regarding self-defense. Creative contributions such as film screenings, art actions, theatre, and music are particularly encouraged.
On May 9th at 7:00 PM (Central European Time), a hashtag campaign using #WeAreAllYPJ will take place. Join the campaign and share the hashtag.
Spring Festival at the University
In recent days, students at the University of Rojava organized a spring festival.
The focus was on cultural and artistic activities, while also highlighting the social engagement of young people. Around 1,500 students study here in Kurdish across various fields.
In sunny weather, students, teachers, and cultural workers came together, danced govend, recited poetry, and created a diverse music program. Speeches emphasized that universities are not only places of learning, but also spaces for cultural expression and social engagement.
Art students exhibited works from recent semesters and curated an exhibition. Paintings of colorful landscapes, still lifes, captured moments, and portraits told the stories of the students. Both the beauty of nature and themes of society and resistance were explored.
The highlight of the festival was the games in the university courtyard. Different groups competed in tug-of-war and relay races. The audience enjoyed the shared atmosphere and collective spirit.
With revolutionary greetings from Rojava
The courage and determination for women’s freedom are powerfully embodied by the performers.
The YPJ provides physical protection against patriarchal violence while also strengthening women’s identity. In the current phase of the integration agreement, it also represents the protection of diversity, women’s rights, and democracy.
If the YPJ is not recognized, there can be no real democracy in Syria.
YPJ Campaign
The YPJ campaign was initiated by women’s structures and the YPJ itself to defend the right to an autonomous women’s self-defense force. The YPJ must not be excluded from the Syrian army. Democracy in Syria must be protected.
The campaign calls for active participation. People are encouraged to send in solidarity videos or take part in the hashtag campaign. Materials such as brochures, statements, letters, and actions should be shared via social media or expanded through original contributions.
It also calls for organizing events, seminars, and actions, and for spreading knowledge about the history, struggle, and significance of the YPJ and the achievements of the women’s revolution, especially regarding self-defense. Creative contributions such as film screenings, art actions, theatre, and music are particularly encouraged.
On May 9th at 7:00 PM (Central European Time), a hashtag campaign using #WeAreAllYPJ will take place. Join the campaign and share the hashtag.
Spring Festival at the University
In recent days, students at the University of Rojava organized a spring festival.
The focus was on cultural and artistic activities, while also highlighting the social engagement of young people. Around 1,500 students study here in Kurdish across various fields.
In sunny weather, students, teachers, and cultural workers came together, danced govend, recited poetry, and created a diverse music program. Speeches emphasized that universities are not only places of learning, but also spaces for cultural expression and social engagement.
Art students exhibited works from recent semesters and curated an exhibition. Paintings of colorful landscapes, still lifes, captured moments, and portraits told the stories of the students. Both the beauty of nature and themes of society and resistance were explored.
The highlight of the festival was the games in the university courtyard. Different groups competed in tug-of-war and relay races. The audience enjoyed the shared atmosphere and collective spirit.
With revolutionary greetings from Rojava
Dear friends,
We are writing to you from Rojava, the heart of the women’s revolution.
Rojava is a region in northeastern Syria where a socialist-democratic revolution was declared in 2012. The people here organize themselves according to the social and administrative model of Democratic Confederalism. This concept was developed by Abdullah Öcalan, a leading figure of the Kurdish freedom movement.
According to this model, people organize themselves through grassroots democracy in councils, committees, communes, and women’s structures. Women’s liberation, according to the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî,” is a central pillar of a democratic society. Only when all women are free can society as a whole live in freedom.
Commemoration of Malda Kosar
Malda Kosar, a member of the Jineology Academy, was murdered by ISIS on May 5, 2019, on her way to al-Hol. On the fourth anniversary of her death, a memorial ceremony was held in Heseke, attended by members of the Jineology Academy and the organization Kongra Star.
After a minute of silence, those present spoke about Malda’s work in Jineology. Rozaf Ehmed, a member of the Jineology Academy, expressed condolences to her family and said:
“We commemorate all martyrs of freedom, especially Malda Kosar. She was a martyr in the struggle of women for freedom. Although she was still young, she worked tirelessly for women who wanted to live in a free society. Malda was a strong personality and was dedicated daily to the social sciences. She actively worked to strengthen awareness of women’s freedom. Today, we follow in the path of our comrade and will intensify our struggle and resistance to realize her goals.”
Nûda Salih from Kongra Star also emphasized that the concept of the free woman has spread through the efforts of Malda Kosar and her comrades:
“Today, the philosophy ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ is known worldwide. Living a free and dignified life is not easy—we pay a high price for it. Long live the free woman!”
May 4 – Commemoration of Dersim
On May 4, many people in Rojava and around the world commemorate the genocide against the Alevi-Kurdish population in Dersim in 1937/38. Tens of thousands of people were killed or deported. To this day, there has been no comprehensive reckoning or recognition as genocide.
Survivors and their descendants refer to this day as “Tertele”—the day “the world came to an end”—or “Roza Reş” (the black day).
Between 70,000 and 80,000 people were killed in the massacre, and tens of thousands more were deported. At the time, the international community remained silent, thereby legitimizing the genocide.
The background was the policy of homogenization, Turkification, and Islamization pursued by then-president Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Non-Turkish populations were to be assimilated; their languages and identities were banned and continue to be suppressed to this day.
In response, an uprising formed in 1937 under the leadership of Seyit Riza. Armed resistance was organized in part by Alişer and Zarife. Women played a central role in this struggle. The demands included self-administration, reforms, and the right to existence and land.
The state responded with military force. On May 4, 1937, the Turkish army was tasked with implementing a “final solution” to the “Dersim problem”—marking the beginning of the genocide. To this day, there has been no full investigation or accountability by the Turkish state.
Iran
With great pain and deep sorrow, we are following developments in Iran. In recent weeks, numerous political prisoners and protesters have been executed.
Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, a protester from Urmia in Eastern Kurdistan, was executed early Sunday morning. The judiciary accused him of being responsible for the death of a Basij member.
Mehdi Rassouli, Mohammad Reza Miri, and Ebrahim Dolatabadi were also executed in connection with the protests. According to official reports, they were accused of spying for Israel and cooperating with intelligence services.
We are writing to you from Rojava, the heart of the women’s revolution.
Rojava is a region in northeastern Syria where a socialist-democratic revolution was declared in 2012. The people here organize themselves according to the social and administrative model of Democratic Confederalism. This concept was developed by Abdullah Öcalan, a leading figure of the Kurdish freedom movement.
According to this model, people organize themselves through grassroots democracy in councils, committees, communes, and women’s structures. Women’s liberation, according to the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî,” is a central pillar of a democratic society. Only when all women are free can society as a whole live in freedom.
Commemoration of Malda Kosar
Malda Kosar, a member of the Jineology Academy, was murdered by ISIS on May 5, 2019, on her way to al-Hol. On the fourth anniversary of her death, a memorial ceremony was held in Heseke, attended by members of the Jineology Academy and the organization Kongra Star.
After a minute of silence, those present spoke about Malda’s work in Jineology. Rozaf Ehmed, a member of the Jineology Academy, expressed condolences to her family and said:
“We commemorate all martyrs of freedom, especially Malda Kosar. She was a martyr in the struggle of women for freedom. Although she was still young, she worked tirelessly for women who wanted to live in a free society. Malda was a strong personality and was dedicated daily to the social sciences. She actively worked to strengthen awareness of women’s freedom. Today, we follow in the path of our comrade and will intensify our struggle and resistance to realize her goals.”
Nûda Salih from Kongra Star also emphasized that the concept of the free woman has spread through the efforts of Malda Kosar and her comrades:
“Today, the philosophy ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ is known worldwide. Living a free and dignified life is not easy—we pay a high price for it. Long live the free woman!”
May 4 – Commemoration of Dersim
On May 4, many people in Rojava and around the world commemorate the genocide against the Alevi-Kurdish population in Dersim in 1937/38. Tens of thousands of people were killed or deported. To this day, there has been no comprehensive reckoning or recognition as genocide.
Survivors and their descendants refer to this day as “Tertele”—the day “the world came to an end”—or “Roza Reş” (the black day).
Between 70,000 and 80,000 people were killed in the massacre, and tens of thousands more were deported. At the time, the international community remained silent, thereby legitimizing the genocide.
The background was the policy of homogenization, Turkification, and Islamization pursued by then-president Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Non-Turkish populations were to be assimilated; their languages and identities were banned and continue to be suppressed to this day.
In response, an uprising formed in 1937 under the leadership of Seyit Riza. Armed resistance was organized in part by Alişer and Zarife. Women played a central role in this struggle. The demands included self-administration, reforms, and the right to existence and land.
The state responded with military force. On May 4, 1937, the Turkish army was tasked with implementing a “final solution” to the “Dersim problem”—marking the beginning of the genocide. To this day, there has been no full investigation or accountability by the Turkish state.
Iran
With great pain and deep sorrow, we are following developments in Iran. In recent weeks, numerous political prisoners and protesters have been executed.
Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, a protester from Urmia in Eastern Kurdistan, was executed early Sunday morning. The judiciary accused him of being responsible for the death of a Basij member.
Mehdi Rassouli, Mohammad Reza Miri, and Ebrahim Dolatabadi were also executed in connection with the protests. According to official reports, they were accused of spying for Israel and cooperating with intelligence services.
In the past two and a half months, at least 25 political prisoners have been executed, and many more are at risk of execution, including Kurdish political prisoners.
The list of executions continues to grow daily. We will not remain silent.
The Mothers for Peace in Rojhilat are calling for an immediate end to the executions of political prisoners. PJAK also supports this call and urges international pressure and collective mobilization.
New Water Tanks in Qamishlo
An additional water tank is being built in Qamishlo to secure supply and cushion outages. The water infrastructure is being expanded with the support of UNICEF.
The additional storage capacity will make it possible to build water reserves and ensure emergency supply in the future.
Water scarcity is partly the result of Turkish policies that have, for years, used water as a means of pressure by regulating rivers and withholding water.
The consequences include crop failures, depleted wells, the spread of disease, and ecological damage. In recent years, water facilities have also been repeatedly bombed, such as the Alok station, leading to displacement.
Rising Bread Prices in Cizîrê
Bread prices are rising significantly in Qamishlo and Hesekê. In the Cizîrê region, prices are increasing from 4,000 to 5,500 Syrian pounds.
The reason is rising production costs, especially due to the increase in diesel prices from 15 to 55 US cents per liter. Exchange rate fluctuations have also contributed. The price adjustment was demanded by bakery operators.
YPJ Demonstration
On Wednesday, a large solidarity march with the YPJ took place in Qamishlo. Hundreds of people gathered in the streets, carrying YPJ flags and flower symbols.
Together they chanted: “We are all YPJ.”
The Kurdistan Women’s Communities (KJK) support the campaign “We are all YPJ” and call for recognition of the Women’s Protection Units. The refusal of their status by Damascus is seen as an ideological attack on women’s rights.
With revolutionary greetings from Rojava ✊
The list of executions continues to grow daily. We will not remain silent.
The Mothers for Peace in Rojhilat are calling for an immediate end to the executions of political prisoners. PJAK also supports this call and urges international pressure and collective mobilization.
New Water Tanks in Qamishlo
An additional water tank is being built in Qamishlo to secure supply and cushion outages. The water infrastructure is being expanded with the support of UNICEF.
The additional storage capacity will make it possible to build water reserves and ensure emergency supply in the future.
Water scarcity is partly the result of Turkish policies that have, for years, used water as a means of pressure by regulating rivers and withholding water.
The consequences include crop failures, depleted wells, the spread of disease, and ecological damage. In recent years, water facilities have also been repeatedly bombed, such as the Alok station, leading to displacement.
Rising Bread Prices in Cizîrê
Bread prices are rising significantly in Qamishlo and Hesekê. In the Cizîrê region, prices are increasing from 4,000 to 5,500 Syrian pounds.
The reason is rising production costs, especially due to the increase in diesel prices from 15 to 55 US cents per liter. Exchange rate fluctuations have also contributed. The price adjustment was demanded by bakery operators.
YPJ Demonstration
On Wednesday, a large solidarity march with the YPJ took place in Qamishlo. Hundreds of people gathered in the streets, carrying YPJ flags and flower symbols.
Together they chanted: “We are all YPJ.”
The Kurdistan Women’s Communities (KJK) support the campaign “We are all YPJ” and call for recognition of the Women’s Protection Units. The refusal of their status by Damascus is seen as an ideological attack on women’s rights.
With revolutionary greetings from Rojava ✊
Forwarded from WDR Roj
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🌺#WeAreAllYPJ🌺
We from Women Defend Rojava, we join the campaign to defend the women’s revolution in Rojava and the YPJ as a self-defense organization, which guarantees a democratic Syria and the defense of the rights and freedoms that women have fought hard to achieve over the past 12 years of revolution.
The YPJ have demonstrated through their struggles, sacrifices, and victories that women have the power to defend themselves and their society. They have successfully fought against jihadist forces such as ISIS and the fashist turkish state with its misogynistic ideology. They have been and remain an indispensable example of feminist self-defense. #WeAreAllYPJ
We from Women Defend Rojava, we join the campaign to defend the women’s revolution in Rojava and the YPJ as a self-defense organization, which guarantees a democratic Syria and the defense of the rights and freedoms that women have fought hard to achieve over the past 12 years of revolution.
The YPJ have demonstrated through their struggles, sacrifices, and victories that women have the power to defend themselves and their society. They have successfully fought against jihadist forces such as ISIS and the fashist turkish state with its misogynistic ideology. They have been and remain an indispensable example of feminist self-defense. #WeAreAllYPJ
🔥3
Forwarded from Messages from Rojava (Women Defend Rojava)
We are all YPJ! Self-defence is our natural right!
🟡 Online Talk: with YPJ & the Women's Movement in Rojava
The focus will be on the achievements of the women’s movement in recent years—and, above all, on the question of what future the YPJ has in the current integration process in Syria. While political negotiations on the integration of the self-administration are ongoing, key advances in women’s rights are increasingly coming under pressure. What role will the YPJ play in the future? What do the current developments mean for women’s rights and self-determination in the region?
📅 May 13, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM Central Europeen Time
Join us, get informed first-hand, and take part in a discussion about perspectives and challenges.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/f18ycMOaR_G1ipDY-BYJRQ
🟡 Online Talk: with YPJ & the Women's Movement in Rojava
The focus will be on the achievements of the women’s movement in recent years—and, above all, on the question of what future the YPJ has in the current integration process in Syria. While political negotiations on the integration of the self-administration are ongoing, key advances in women’s rights are increasingly coming under pressure. What role will the YPJ play in the future? What do the current developments mean for women’s rights and self-determination in the region?
📅 May 13, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM Central Europeen Time
Join us, get informed first-hand, and take part in a discussion about perspectives and challenges.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/f18ycMOaR_G1ipDY-BYJRQ
Forwarded from WDR Roj
🌺Campaign - Women Defend Rojava🌺
Social ecology is a pillar of the Rojava revolutionary political paradigm. Focuses on how nature’s exploitation and society’s oppression, especially women’s oppression, are intertwined.
In Rojava, with his vision and with a communal and cooperatives economic system, work is being done to change society's relationship with nature and the role of women within it. Today we’ll talk about how this principles become a reality.
Social ecology, communal and cooperative economy. These principles are applied day by day in Rojava with revolutionary projects that want to balance society’s needs with nature’s capacities, achieving women’s autonomy and creating structures that hold a life free of exploitation nor oppression.
Social ecology is a pillar of the Rojava revolutionary political paradigm. Focuses on how nature’s exploitation and society’s oppression, especially women’s oppression, are intertwined.
In Rojava, with his vision and with a communal and cooperatives economic system, work is being done to change society's relationship with nature and the role of women within it. Today we’ll talk about how this principles become a reality.
Social ecology, communal and cooperative economy. These principles are applied day by day in Rojava with revolutionary projects that want to balance society’s needs with nature’s capacities, achieving women’s autonomy and creating structures that hold a life free of exploitation nor oppression.