NAZIHA BOUSSIDI/ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Tunisia- The 3rd World Women’s Conference of grassroots women continues on its third day in Tunisia. Many workshops and activities have been organized as part of the conference. Yesterday, two workshops were held. At the first workshop, Kurdish women shared their experiences with women participating in the conference and at the second workshop, the effects of climate change were discussed.

Kurdish women shared their experiences

Kurdish women participated in the workshop entitled, “Women's Liberation: The Trilogy of Freedom, Organization and Independence”. They shared their experiences at the workshop.

NuJINHA spoke to Bushra Ali, the president of the JÎN Women Association, about the conference. Pointing out that the conference sheds light on the Kurdish women's issue, their history and the importance of the Kurdish women's movement; she said that Kurdish women told how and when their movement emerged. “Kurdish women made speeches about how the women's revolution in North and East Syria can be a dynamic force. They answered many questions such as how the Kurdish women’s movement emerged, what it has learned from feminist movements in the region and all around the world and how they have become a platform for all women in the region in order to build a space in social, political and intellectual fields and to fight ISIS.”

 “We can overcome the global challenges together”

Speaking about the role of Kurdish women in liberation and how they have become a role model for all women, Bushra Ali said, “From the end of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century, Kurdish women were known for their courage. Thanks to the ideology and philosophy of leader Abdullah Öcalan, they are known all around the world now. Women's liberation is a global issue. The freedom of Kurdish women is linked to the freedom of all women around the world. Therefore, we must work together to overcome global challenges and strengthen our unity.”

Tunisian feminist: Kurdish women took up arms to fight ISIS

Tunisian feminist activist Fathia Hizem also participates in the conference. Speaking about the struggle of the Kurdish women, she said, “It was important for us to break the image towards Kurdish women. They took up arms to fight ISIS. They have been able to impose a social system different from the system we live in. Now, women participate in all spheres of life. They are aware of the challenges and try to find solutions.”

Climate change

A group of environmentalists participated in a workshop on the effects of climate change. At the workshop, they emphasized the role of women in the struggle against natural disasters. Participants emphasized the importance of building a dignified and just society that can contribute to the solution of social problems without exploiting people, particularly women.

“The barrier is broken”

 “We will not allow ourselves to be deceived again. Capitalism wants to exploit us for its interests. We used to remain silent but we announce today that the barrier is broken,” the participants said.

Struggle against climate change

Speaking about the effects of climate change on women, the participants emphasized how women’s unity is important for the struggle against climate change. They ended the workshop by emphasizing the women's struggle for having eco-friendly basic resources, clean water, healthy food, renewable energy, public transport, health, free education and housing.