Haivy Salah

Sulaymaniyah — As the Kurdish press marks over a century of existence, Kurdish media continues to navigate between the acceleration of technical development on one hand and the risk of declining professional quality on the other. Although technology has facilitated access to information, a significant gap remains evident in professional discourse and responsibility.

From this standpoint, journalist Hana Shwan believes that the will that Kurdish women possessed throughout history to spread awareness under various names should serve as a lesson for today's media professionals. She says that some women in media have not yet been able to produce conscious and effective content, affirming that they should not limit themselves to the role of recipients but should be carriers of a message.

The history of Kurdish journalism began on April 22, 1898, in Cairo by Miqdad Midhat Badr Khan. That milestone was not merely a means of transmitting news, but a movement aimed at awakening national consciousness at a time when Kurdish women played an influential role. From Khanzadi Mir-i Soran to Habsa Khan Naqib, through several female writers and intellectuals who paved the way for an intellectual renaissance whose effects remain present to this day.

Between loss and documentation amid political turmoil

Writer and journalist Hana Shwan said that the Kurdish people have faced many difficulties and hardships throughout history, from occupation to attempts to erase culture, art, and identity. This is what made the Kurds different and cohesive despite all circumstances. At the time the first Kurdish newspaper was published, the region was experiencing political turmoil and instability—a situation that continues to this day, as Kurdistan has continued to pay the price for these conditions.

She believes that journalistic work among the Kurds was a form of struggle, as no other nation has made sacrifices for journalism like the Kurds. These people had a strong and steadfast beginning in this field, receiving great attention from researchers and specialists, and used it as a tool to confront occupation and defend identity.

She noted that at that time, newspapers were printed on paper and their delivery to readers was done manually, which gave them great impact. Many risked their lives by transporting and distributing newspapers, while occupying states constantly tried to eliminate this activity.

Hana Shwan points out that one of the biggest challenges facing researchers today in the history of Kurdish journalism is the loss of many old issues and not knowing their whereabouts, due to the difficult political conditions the Kurdish community has experienced, which directly affected both the political and social realities.

Enhancing women's media awareness and spreading a message of peace

Hana Shwan says, "We all know that whenever society faces a crisis, women are the first victims." For this reason, women have always continued their efforts to change the existing reality and work to raise women's awareness. She noted that one of the female writers of that time used to say: "O women... read, and continue reading, for this is very important for us. Our convictions must be strong, and we must protect ourselves and the generations that will come after us."

She adds, "Today we see how women serve society in various fields, but we need better content. Just as technology has evolved, content must also evolve." She explained that there are two main problems facing women in media today: first, some do not have stable employment; second, some lack sufficient awareness, dealing with any topic that appears before them without understanding the nature of circumstances or how to handle it professionally.

She affirms that women in media today should spread messages of peace and love, because much of the current content carries negative messages and leaves harmful effects on society. "If the women who wrote in the past under pseudonyms, in difficult circumstances, were to return to our time, they would be astonished. Today we live in an era of tremendous technological development, information is readily available, and topics are many and varied. Yet unfortunately, we see some women in media not working to develop their knowledge or advance their skills, despite all the available potential."

At the conclusion of her speech, journalist Hana Shwan expresses her hope that Kurdish women in media will advance further and continuously develop themselves. She expresses her happiness at speaking about "Rîwan" newspaper, a newspaper dedicated to women, noting that all its workers are women, which is a "source of pride" for her..