CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut- Members of non-governmental organizations and many women participated in the International Women’s Day celebration held in Beirut led by Kongra Star. We spoke to the representatives of the women's organizations in Beirut and their messages to women all around the world.

“We salute all women resisting the patriarchal mentality”

“We wish a happy International Women’s Day to all women, who resist, struggle and raise their voices against exploitation, occupation, destruction, and slavery and we salute all women resisting the patriarchal mentality all around the world. We thank all women, who played an important role in spreading International Women’s Day in the Middle East and all around the world. Many women such as Sakine Cansız, Şirin Elemhuli, Arin Mirkan, Barin played an important role in carrying the flag of women's resistance from Kurdistan to the Middle East and all around the world. We remember them on our day,” Hanan Othman, president of Nevroz Cultural Association, told NuJINHA.

“We will ensure social justice”

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Democratic Women's Alliance in the Middle East and North Africa, Bushra Ali said, “As the Women’s Alliance, we will keep struggling despite all challenges. In addition to the effects of chaos fueled by the capitalist system, we witness the intensifying occupation phenomenon and crazy wars in many countries. Rights violations against women have been increasing due to these wars. Everyone should remember that violence and rights violations against women increase during wars and chaos. As the Women's Alliance, we are determined to struggle in order to form women's unity, to ensure gender equality, democracy, and social justice.”

“Women sacrifice themselves for the liberation of their country”

Netewî Xemgîn, a representative of Kongra Star in Lebanon, wished a happy International Women’s Day to women all around the world, particularly women in Kurdistan and the Middle East. “We, as Kurdish women, are alive today thanks to Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). Women in the Middle East, particularly women in North and East Syria, fought at the frontlines against ISIS and they are still fighting. Women sacrifice themselves for the liberation of their country,” she said.

“Women get their rights by struggling”

“I wish a happy International Women’s Day to all women. We believe that women will be free one day. Women will get their rights by struggling,” Murvat Hamo, a member of Kongra Star, told us.

“We want a world without war”

“March 8 is the day for women to demand their rights and peace. The patriarchal mindset would have continued the wars forever if there wasn’t the will of women.  Today, there is the will and organization of women who struggle to prevent wars.  We want a world without war,” Iman Fatih, the head of the Syrian Women Forum for Peace, told us.

“We want a world where there are no weapons”

Marie Debs, president of Wardah Boutros, Equality Association, also spoke to our news agency. “We, as women, demand gender equality. We give life to the universe and we want what we deserve, not more. We want a world where there are no weapons. We demand equality, freedom, unity, and democracy instead of destructive weapons,” she said.