News Center – International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, is a global occasion to highlight women’s struggles worldwide and shed light on the challenges they still face in the fields of rights, equality, and protection from violence.

On February 19, the joint platform of women’s movements and organizations in Rojava and North and East Syria announced its program for International Women’s Day under the slogan: “With the philosophy of Woman, Life, Freedom, we protect the gains of the Women’s Revolution.”

Today, Saturday, February 28, Kongra Star in the city of Hasakah revealed its program for March 8 during a statement delivered in the presence of dozens of women from Tel Tamer, Hasakah, Derbasiyah, Washokani Camp, and Sere Kaniye. Participants raised the flags of Kongra Star and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), affirming the continuity of the women’s movement in the region and its readiness to commemorate the occasion through various activities.

The statement read:
“With the spirit of the struggle of free women and their unbreakable will, we welcome March 8, International Women’s Day, at a critical stage in Rojava, where attacks are increasing. We commemorate this day not merely as a celebratory ritual, but as an important phase in our struggle. We renew our pledge to the martyrs and affirm that the philosophy of ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’ is not just a slogan, but a comprehensive liberation project and a vision for building a democratic society based on justice and equality.”

The statement stressed that targeting women and attempts to intimidate them through violence, killing, and mutilation would not succeed in breaking their will. It emphasized that “the forces of occupation and the patriarchal mentality” seek to undermine the gains of the women’s movement, but women remain determined to defend their achievements, affirming that violence will not intimidate them, crimes will not deter them, and they will not retreat from protecting the gains of the women’s revolution.

It added:
“From Deniz Jiya to the fighter Amara and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect women’s dignity and society’s freedom, we affirm that their blood has become a driving force for struggle and has created deep awareness among women. Every crime committed against women has increased our determination to organize and resist, and every attempt to silence our voices has made us more prepared and resilient.”

 

“We Will Defend Our Gains”

Kongra Star stated that March 8 represents a milestone during which the women’s movement in Rojava affirms that the gains of the Women’s Revolution are a red line that cannot be crossed. It stressed that protecting these achievements is a collective responsibility requiring unity and organization. The coming phase, it said, will witness strengthened organization across various fields and a higher level of awareness and struggle, based on firm conviction that a revolution led by women cannot be defeated.

According to the statement, the program of activities includes:

Decorating the city on March 1 in preparation for March 8.

Planting trees and flowers on the graves of martyrs as a symbolic act to honor their memory and strengthen women’s presence in the public sphere through environmental and community initiatives.

On March 2, a group of women will carry weapons and declare their participation in mobilization, while young women will decorate the gates of Hasakah with wreaths.

On March 3, visits will be made to the villages of Jinwar and Zarkan. In Hasakah, young women will gather to form the number 8, symbolizing International Women’s Day.

On March 4, candles will be lit on the graves of martyrs, and an exhibition of handicrafts and photos of women martyrs will be opened.

On March 5, civil and military institutions will be visited, a film about “the braid” and its meaning will be screened, and a celebration will be held by young women.

On March 6, a procession will take place where women gather to braid their hair collectively, alongside street theatrical performances presented by young women.

On March 7, preparations will begin for the main celebration on International Women’s Day, and booklets about “the braid” and its historical significance for Kurds will be distributed. A central celebration will be held at the Martyrs of Tishrin Dam Stadium in Hasakah.

March 8: An Important Milestone in Women’s Struggle

Despite the siege conditions facing the city of Kobani, women insisted on not allowing it to hinder the commemoration of International Women’s Day. Kongra Star in the Euphrates canton announced its program for March 8 in a statement delivered at the Free Woman Square in Kobani, Rojava.

The statement congratulated Abdullah Öcalan and all women worldwide who struggle to preserve their rights, as well as the fighters of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), emphasizing the importance of this day for all women. It stated:
“On this day, we will escalate the struggle against the violence and dictatorship that have been practiced against women. In this gathering, we renew our pledge to intensify our struggle, and we will make every day March 8.”

The statement pointed out that despite attempts to suppress women’s will, Kurdish women in the four parts of Kurdistan, in Rojava, and in Kobani will thwart all such attempts and expand their struggle in political, military, and social arenas by following the philosophy of Öcalan and the path of women’s freedom under the slogan ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî.’ It affirmed that killing women, cutting their braids, and assaulting them do not break women’s will, but rather increase their determination and desire to continue the struggle.

 

The program in Kobani includes decorating the city, organizing a march in support of the Women’s Protection Units, holding meetings in rural areas and neighborhoods, conducting central gatherings in the city and its districts, visiting the Women’s Protection Units and Internal Security Forces, organizing a women’s marathon and cycling event for young women, planting trees, and holding the central celebration on March 8.

The statement concluded by affirming that through women’s struggle and the spirit of March 8, they will build a democratic Syria.