Farashin Marfan

Shingal — The Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement (TAJÊ) organized a series of seminars highlighting the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the role of women in confronting violence. Several sessions were specifically dedicated to men to promote shared community awareness.

The seminars organized by TAJÊ as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women covered various topics, including gynology (women’s studies), the importance of self-defense, organization, education, and other vital issues. The movement also held these seminars within the framework of its campaign launched on October 30 under the slogan “Don’t Kill Yourself, Every Suicide Is Extermination,” emphasizing that these efforts aim to strengthen a culture of resistance and protect women from all forms of voilance.

Yazidi Women Build a Culture of Resistance

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Walta Jano, a member of the Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement (TAJÊ), spoke about the significance of this day. She began by recalling the Mirabal sisters, who, through their determination and will, became a global symbol of women’s struggle: “In confronting violence against women and the violation of their rights, this day has become a prominent milestone in women’s struggle. As Yazidi women, we still face multiple forms of violence today, whether physical or intellectual.”

She explained that the authoritarian mentality of the state imposed a specific form of oppression on Yazidi women, emphasizing that this reality requires Yazidi women to educate themselves daily and develop means of self-protection: “As the Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement, we stress that women must continue educating themselves, acquiring knowledge, and building tools for self-defense. In the past, they could not leave their homes or advocate for themselves and were subjected to physical and intellectual violence, in addition to decrees targeting the Yazidi community as a whole, which amounted to a form of genocide particularly against women.”

She added: “With the arrival of Leader Öcalan’s ideas and visions in our community, Yazidi women gained new awareness, drawing inspiration from the legacy of the Mirabal sisters. They built a state of vigilance and organization. Through this thought, Yazidi women learned the principles of organization and struggle and are now able to rise and confront all forms of violence with their own strength.”

Walta Jano emphasized the importance of self-protection for Yazidi women: “Today, thanks to the Women’s Units in Shingal, Yazidi women are able to defend themselves and their community. This is a great source of pride for us. Throughout history, we suffered from persecution, killings, and lack of protection, but thanks to the sacrifices of martyrs and the struggle of resistant women, we now have the ability to protect ourselves.”

She added: “During the decrees, thousands of Yazidi women were displaced and killed, and many are still in the hands of ISIS. Today, through organization and struggle, we respond to those tragedies. Thanks to this organization, many of our girls have gained their freedom, reflecting the strength and determination of Yazidi women to survive and live.

 

“Yazidi Women Grow Stronger Through Organization”

Walta Jano highlighted the goals and significance of the campaign “Don’t Kill Yourself, Every Suicide Is Extermination”, launched to confront the phenomenon of suicide. She explained that the community has witnessed rising rates of violence and suicide as a result of attacks and targeted wars: “We launched this campaign to confront these phenomena. At the same time, a significant responsibility falls on mothers and fathers, who must focus on educating their children and avoiding early marriages, as this opens the door to serious social problems.”

She added: “I call upon Yazidi women: do not resort to suicide. Face all forms of violence and build means of self-protection. The solution does not lie in ending life, but in organization and self-defense.”

Walta Jano emphasized the need for conscious and effective use of digital media, noting that hostile actors exploit this space to wage a targeted war against both women and men: “With a patriarchal and authoritarian mindset, invisible attacks are launched against women. Even in the cultural sphere, nothing is left untouched, especially in our Yazidi community where such policies are applied intensively. Today, the regime can no longer eliminate us through decrees, but it tries, through subtle methods, to destroy our culture and religion. All of this is part of a targeted war aimed at erasing our identity.”

She stressed the importance of family education in protecting children, noting that restrictions alone are insufficient, and that families must provide proper guidance: “It is essential that families take responsibility for educating and raising their children. Watching some translated series, including Turkish ones, negatively affects them, planting unhealthy images in their minds and sometimes encouraging them to imitate suicide scenes depicted in these shows.”

Walta Jano explained that women were once viewed merely as housewives responsible for raising children, but after engaging with the ideas of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, women began organizing themselves and educating their minds: “My call to all Yazidi women is to rise, educate themselves, and organize their ranks so they can confront all forms of violence against women and society. Yazidi women must realize that they grow stronger over time