Amed- As women all over the world are getting ready to welcome the International Women’s Day, women in Kurdistan will take to the streets on March 8 by demanding “freedom”.

 In the 21st century, when women's struggle has become universal and the women of the Middle East have led this struggle, women have gathered around the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” philosophy, waging an identity and freedom battle against the patriarchy.

Since 129 women garment workers were burned to death in a fire started in the factory in New York City in 1857, women’s struggle for their rights and freedom struggle has grown considerably, instilling resistance into women all around the world, including Kurdistan, India, France and the US with the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Women, Life, Freedom)” philosophy in the 21st century.

The Free Women’s Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) kicked off its activities for the International Women’s Day (IWD) in the Mîdyad (Midyat) district of Mardin on Sunday, dedicating its activities to journalist Cihan Bilgin, who was killed in a Turkish drone strike in North and East Syria.

In an interview with NuJINHA, Özlem Başari, activist of the TJA, commented about why IWD is for Kurdish women and the activities to be carried out by the TJA.

Özlem Başarı first spoke about the increase in attacks and violence against women. “The main reason for the increase in crimes against women is the patriarchal mindset. As women, we must first break down this mindset. Although our struggle is a difficult struggle, we believe that we will be successful.”

She mentioned the resistance started by women in New York, saying, “Today, women of the Middle East maintain this resistance.”

‘2025 will be the year of freedom’

Despite all the attacks on women, “2025 will be the year of freedom for women” said Özlem Başarı. “Women are ignored all around the world, especially in Kurdistan. In Kurdistan, we have been waging an identity and freedom battle. Today, women in Kurdistan face challenges in all facets of life, including economy, social life and the judiciary. They struggle against deep poverty and are subjected to violence and massacres. Although they carry heavy burdens on their shoulders, they do not have a say. Despite everything, we say that 2025 will be the year of freedom.”

‘We will take to the streets’

AKP’s President Tayyip Erdoğan declared 2025 the “Year of Family”. “This policy aims to ignore women’s identity,” said Özlem Başarı.

“This declaration shows that the ruling party sees women as a part of the family, even as ‘Maid’. As women, we believe and trust in our own power. They want to enslave women although women have played a leading role throughout history. We do not accept this. We believe that women must participate in all facets of life. On March 8, we will take to the streets to voice our demands.”

As part of its activities, the TJA will organize women’s gatherings, meetings and awareness-raising activities in villages, neighborhoods, rural areas and factories.

‘We are excited and enthusiastic’

“As women, we are excited and enthusiastic,” said Özlem Başarı. “This year, we have prepared a program full of activities. We call on all women to join our activities and our rally to voice our demands together on March 8.”