EVÎN ZENDA

Shengal - On August 3, 2014, ISIS attacked Shengal and carried out inhuman practices there. They abducted thousands of Yazidi women and sold them in slave markets. After the genocide committed against them, the people of Shengal understood the importance of self-defense more and began to organize themselves in every part of life to not face such pain again. Now, Yazidi women have played an important role in the economy, politics, self-defense, and every part of life. After the genocide, Yazidis established Yazidi Culture and Art Center in Shengal. Yazidi women have carried out their artistic activities under the umbrella of the Nexşan Şehri Culture and Art Center in Shengal.

They compose a song for International Women’s Day

The culture and art center has many theater, musical, and dance groups. Hope for Women of Shengal (Hêviya Jinên Şengalê) is one of these musical groups. This musical group takes to the stage on March 8 every year.  This year, the members of the group compose a song about the fighters of the Shengal Women's Units (YJŞ) titled, “Ew YŞJ ne (they are YŞJ)” to sing on March 8, International Women’s Day.

“We tell the resistance of women”

Çimen Berces, a member of the musical group, spoke to JuJINHA about their song. “As Yazidi women, we wish a happy Women’s Day to all women. In our new song, we tell the resistance of women and how the history is rewritten by women in the holy lands of the Yazidis.”

“YJŞ protects Yazidi women”

Canê Murat is another member of the musical group. “As Yazidi women, we suffered a lot during the genocide against us. The YJŞ becomes hope for Yazidi women and girls to overcome the pain they suffered. They protect Yazidi women. So we wanted to compose a song about these heroic women. We wish a happy Women’s Day to all women.”