AI-Hasakah - As part of the sixth phase of the campaign against violence towards women, launched by the Women's Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) on October 8 under the slogan "Towards Building a Democratic Syria Led by Free Women," the Council organized its second forum under the theme "Free and Equal Life as a Guarantee for Building a Democratic Communal Society."

The forum, held on Tuesday, November 4, in the city of Al-Hasakah, North and East Syria, brought together 180 representatives from the PYD Women's Council, along with women’s organizations, political parties, intellectuals, and members of civil society institutions from across the region, in an event uniting .

The called for”peace and a Democratic Society at the core of Discussions.

During the forum, participants highlighted Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for “Peace and a Democratic Society,” emphasizing the pivotal role of women in building a communal life founded on democratic values and in confronting the patriarchal mindset that hinders societal progress.

In her speech, Huriya Shammedin, representative of the PYD Women’s Council, stated that the forum represents an important step in challenging authoritarian mentalities and embodies an ongoing struggle to establish new values based on fraternity, equality, and shared life.

“A free and equal life is not merely a slogan we repeat,” she said, “but a reality we live in every home, community, and democratic institution. The July 19 Revolution proved that women are not mere shadows in history, but active agents shaping their present with their blood, intellect, and dignity—leading the path of social change and building a society founded on freedom and collective responsibility.”

Shammedin further explained that, in a world increasingly burdened by wars and conflicts, Leader Öcalan has raised the banner of peace and democratic society as a humane alternative aimed at liberating humanity from marginalization and exclusion, affirming that this vision stands as a call to build a more just and humane world.

The temporal Killer goes beyond the body to target identity and culture.

The forum addressed two main themes.
The first, titled “The Temporal Killer in the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society,” was presented by Norshan Hussein, Co-chair of the Diplomatic Relations Committee of the North and East Syria Region. In her speech, she explained that the term “Kastik” originates from a linguistic root meaning oppression and destruction, and within this framework, it is defined as a form of violence.

She added that when understood in its political and ideological context, this concept does not refer solely to physical destruction but also encompasses psychological, cultural, and moral dimensions, reflecting the deep impact of violence on the very fabric of societies.

Norshan Hussein clarified that the concept of the “Temporal Killer” is not explicitly found in traditional academic or political literature but is rather a metaphorical term used in Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s critique of the state’s authoritarian structure, patriarchal mindset, and colonial mentality. The concept exposes the deep-rooted foundations of violence embedded within systems built on domination and exclusion.

She highlighted the historical context that gives this concept its depth, noting that its earliest manifestations appeared in the targeting of women through the dismantling of the matriarchal community structure.

In her study, she analyzed how colonialism operates through the internal fragmentation of the Black body as seen through the white gaze, a pattern that continues to influence social consciousness today. She stressed that the sense of shame toward one’s mother tongue and disconnection from cultural memory are among the effects of the “Temporal Killer.”

Norshan Hussein stated that the modern nation-state, through its ideological tools, has reshaped the individual into a mere entity serving power—stripped of human essence and turned into an instrument of the system. She further noted that the “Temporal Killer” also manifests in the extremes of neoliberalism, such as the culture of consumption, imitation, screen dependency, and algorithmic manipulation, all of which impose behavioral and moral patterns that sustain authoritarian systems and reinforce domination.

Leader Öcalan’s vision is founded on the principles of motherhood, modernity, and democracy.

The second theme of the forum, titled “Political and Social Solutions to Achieve Equality and Justice,” was presented by Berwin Youssef, Co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). In her speech, she outlined Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s vision, which is grounded in the matriarchal society, women’s empowerment, and democratic modernity, explaining that these pillars pave the way toward building a unified society capable of confronting the legacy of domination and power.

She emphasized that Leader Öcalan perceives freedom, equality, and justice as practical concepts rather than mere theories—principles that can be translated into tangible pathways for rebuilding society on the foundations of participation and democracy, while respecting ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity, thereby ensuring social justice and peaceful coexistence among all components of society.

Continuing her remarks, Berwin Youssef stressed the significance of communes, noting that understanding the matriarchal commune is a cornerstone of Öcalan’s philosophy. This societal model embodies unity based on equality and justice; the matriarchal communes are not primitive social forms, but rather advanced models of community structures that guarantee the rights of every individual and enable genuine participation in decision-making.

She added that these communes have broken the historical cycle of exploitation—long tied to power, wealth, and influence—by establishing a social system centered on the human being, one that values participation and justice instead of domination and exclusion.

She further noted that despite ongoing challenges, the Autonomous Administration promotes a concept of justice founded on respect for human dignity, not merely on formal equality in resource distribution. From this perspective, justice means ensuring a dignified life for every individual and building relationships based on mutual respect rather than dependency or dominance.

Berwin Youssef concluded by underscoring that achieving equality and justice is not simply a legal or political stage, but an ongoing process of liberation. She affirmed that Leader Öcalan offers an enlightened vision that transforms justice from the framework of authority into the sphere of life itself—from abstract legal rights into a daily practice of freedom and active participation in building a pluralistic, democratic society.

Raising awareness and promoting the concept of gender-based life.

The forum concluded with several key outcomes, including:

Continuing the struggle for Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom, as he represents the freedom of all peoples striving for justice.

Affirming the continuation of intellectual, political, and organizational struggle against all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

Consolidating the concept of the democratic family, founded on love, respect, and freedom—away from ownership and guardianship.

Working collectively to strengthen the role of councils and communes as fundamental bases for building a moral and democratic political society.

Raising awareness and promoting the concept of a “free and equal life” among all segments of society and institutions to reinforce the culture of equality.

Holding joint workshops for men and women aimed at building the democratic family as a central step toward establishing communal values.

Struggling with a sense of historical responsibility to ensure the success of Leader Öcalan’s peace initiative.

Considering the struggle against patriarchal mentality as a shared effort between women and men to restore the natural balance of human relations.