AVRIN NAVDAR

Hasakah- Women, who attended the 23rd congress of the Kurdistan National Congress (Kongreya Neteweyî ya Kurdistanê, KNK) in the Netherlands on May 24-25, 2025, held their first meeting in the city of Qamishlo on August 7. At the meeting aiming at uniting and organizing Kurdish women in different regions of Kurdistan and Europe, women discussed the political and organizational situation. Special committees were formed to monitor the implementation of the strategic plan accepted at the meeting and realize women's goals and vision for as part of the Kurdish National Conference.

In an interview with NuJINHA, Elif Hemo, coordinating member of Kongra Star, talked about the main topics discussed at the meeting, emphasizing that the participants agreed to build a democratic system that would protect the rights of women and every individual in society.

‘The meeting took place in an important period’

Kurdistan and the Middle East are going through a historical process, Elif Hemo emphasized. “National unity is the starting point for the solution of the Kurdish question.”

She also said that the two-day congress held in the Netherlands was a response to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and democratic society. Speaking about the role of Kurdish women in building national unity and peace, she said:

“At the meeting held in Qamishlo on August 7, women discussed their political organizational situation in the region and agreed on a strategic plan aimed at strengthening national unity and protecting the rights of the Kurdish people across Syria.”

Women attending the meeting also discussed women’s important role in drafting a new constitution in Syria. “The new constitution must guarantee the principles of decentralization and the representation of all ethnic and religious groups and introduce a quota for women to ensure gender equality.

The cornerstone of national unity

Elif Hemo thinks that the Kurdish Unity Conference and the Kurdish Women's Conference held in 2025 were an important turning point in strengthening the national spirit among Kurdish parties and organizations.

“The decisions made at the Kurdish Unity Conference and the Kurdish Women's Unity Conference were a new cornerstone for the solution of the Kurdish question,” she said, pointing to the role of women in the implementation of the decisions.

“At the meeting, four committees (Women's Committee, Language-Culture and Education Committee, Human Rights Committee and Ecology Committee) were formed. Each committee has its own spokesperson. Additionally, a board consisting of seven people was established to organize and monitor women’s activities to implement the decisions made at the conferences.”

Main agenda: New constitution of Syria

At the meeting, women discussed the current political situation in Syria. “The current jihadist government having a radical mindset cannot make the country a democratic country,” Elif Hemo said, stressing that the only way to achieve a political solution in Syria is to adopt a ‘decentralized system’.

Elif Hemo reminded the rights violations taking place in Syria’s coastal areas and city of Sweida and said, “Civilians, including women, have been killed and kidnapped. This shows us that Syria’s interim government cannot govern the country with this mindset. Kurdish women see the fight against authoritarian and radical regimes as an integral part of their cause.”

The freedom of Kurdish women is the gateway to the freedom of women in the Middle East and Syria, Elif Hemo emphasized. “Therefore, we are aware of our responsibilities in the critical period that Syria is going through. A democratic and decentralized system is the only solution for Syria.”

Elif Hemo believes that welcoming Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for “peace and democratic society” is the best way to achieve national unity. “Kurdish women have a strong national spirit to build a peaceful society. Kurdish women will always struggle to achieve national and social unity.