SORGUL ŞÊXO

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- Claudia Korol, an Argentine popular educator, feminist writer, and member of Pañuelos en Rebeldía and Feministas del Abya Yala, is an activist supporting the women’s revolution in North and East Syria and the Kurdish people. NuJINHA spoke to Claudia Korol, who has been in Rojava for the first time upon the invitation of Kongra Star, about the importance of women’s struggle in the 21st century.

At the beginning of her speech, Claudia Korol recalled the message of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan for women on the International Women’s Day, saying, “The women's issue is a deeper problem than the Kurdish question.”

“We were very excited when leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) emphasized the importance of the role of women in struggles in general and revolutions in particular, especially when he said that the women's issue is deeper than the nationalism issue… Why are these statements very important for us? Because the patriarchal colonial system is the root of dominant systems such as capitalism and imperialism. The women’s revolution staged creatively and magnificently by you is the result of this ideology. These are not just statements but also an ideology that creates the opportunity to build a new society and a 21st century revolution led by the experience, memory and life of women.”

‘The struggle of the women’s movement is essential to build a new life’

Claudia Korol thinks that the thoughts and ideology of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan are very important not only for the Middle East but also for the whole world. “His thoughts and ideology are very important for us because we believe that the feminist struggle and the struggle of the women's movement are essential to build a new life. As women, we should unite our struggles to change our society. But how do we do that? Visiting Rojava and getting to know women’s experiences in Rojava are the first step to achieve unity.”

‘As women, we must mobilize ourselves’

Claudia Korol pointed to the resistance of women in North and East Syria against ISIS and the occupation attacks of the Turkish state and said:

“The resistance of women in Rojava against reactionary and extremist armed groups such as ISIS and the attacks of the Turkish state and Erdoğan’s government targeting women and the people of the region are important to us. In Rojava, we have seen how women have built a new society in the system of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. After seeing it, you start thinking how we can expand and spread this truth. I believe that the answer of this question is the project of the Democratic Confederalism of the people, especially in the democratic confederalism of women. Because this project embraces the diversity of women's experiences from all over the world, from Abya Yala to Kurdistan to Africa.”

Caudia Korol also talked about gender-based violence and femicide faced by women all around the world, defining the current policy, especially in Abya Yala, as “ruthless”. “Women's rights and women's movements are under attack. As women, we must join movements and mobilize ourselves against all kinds of attacks. Argentina has had a strong and well-established women's movement since the 20th century, especially since 2015. The women’s movement has been strengthened by the slogan 'Ni una menos (English: Not One Less)’, a slogan against the high rates of femicide in the region (Latin America). In Argentina, thousands of comrades were killed during the (1976–1983) dictatorship. The mothers, known as ‘Plaza da Mayo’, have embraced the women's revolution in Kurdistan. Nora Cortiñas visited hunger striker Leyla Güven.”

‘The women’s revolution in Rojava strengthened us’

Feminist movements in Argentina organized protests from 2015 to 2016 to support the women’s revolution in Rojava. “In 2015 and 2016, feminist movements and women’s organizations held protests to support the women’s revolution in Rojava. The women’s revolution in Rojava strengthened us. We will continue to take to the streets against the brutality of the capitalist, patriarchal, oppressive and racist system. I would like to say that we embrace the Democratic Women's Confederalism. We say that the women of Rojava are not alone.”

‘Defending Rojava is defending the 21st century revolution led by women’

Women in Argentina and Abya Yala took to the streets to support and protect the women of Afrin when the city was attacked by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions in 2018. “We support Rojava. Defending Rojava is defending the 21st century revolution led by women. We call women to participate in this revolution.”