NORŞÎN ABDİ

 Kobanê – Women all over the world have already started their preparations for the International Women’s Day. The Hîlala Zêrîn Cultural Movement carrying out its activities in Kobanê, northeastern of Syria, continues its preparations for its activities and events for March 8.  In an interview with NuJINHA, Fatima Xelil, member of the movement, talked about before and after the revolution in Rojava and the movement’s activities for March 8.

 ‘Women struggle to build a democratic society’

Emphasizing that women adopting the philosophy of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan struggle to build a democratic society in North and East Syria, Fatima Xelil condemned the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan.

“We carry on the struggle started by leader Öcalan for women’s freedom. Today, women all around the world are subjected to all kinds of violations due to the patriarchal mindset. We started the women’s revolution in Rojava to take back what was stolen from us and to prove to the world that we can govern ourselves and our society. There are many differences between before and after the revolution; before the revolution, women were oppressed in the name of customs and traditions. After the revolution, women could obtain the statues that they deserved. Now, women are involved in decision-making positions in all facets of life such as politics, economy and art.”

‘We will promote our goals to the whole world’

As women, we now have the will and power to demand our rights, Fatima Xelil emphasized, adding, “Every year, we start art activities for the International Women’s Day in February. We also hold many events such as conferences, meetings and seminars. We hope March 8 will bring freedom for all women. We vow to shed light on the reality of women all over the world, especially Kurdish women, who fight for their freedom and cause in the mountains of Kurdistan. In addition, we will promote our goals to the whole world.”

‘We could celebrate our day freely after the revolution’

In cooperation with Baqi Xido Culture and Art Center, the Hîlala Zêrîn Cultural Movement holds music courses to teach women how to play musical instruments. “Now, we have four musical groups and they will perform on March 8,” said Fatima Xelil, who also talked about before the revolution in Rojava. “I remember how women were prevented from celebrating their day by the Syrian government before the revolution. We could celebrate our day, the International Women’s Day, freely following the women’s revolution in Rojava. This year, we will celebrate our day with the spirit of resistance by chanting the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ slogan.”