WAN - "One of the issues we must win is the freedom of Rojhilat and Iranian women," said Helbest Remzbar Qendîl, a member of the Rojhilat Young Women's Union, adding, "Women must know where to fight; this is the vehicle of the revolution." 

 

Women's resistance against the Iranian regime continues to grow in many parts of the country, particularly in Rojhilat (Iran-Kurdistan). The social protest centred around the slogan "Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)” draws on the historical experiences of women's freedom struggles while also creating a new social ground against patriarchal policies. 

 

As 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, approaches, we spoke with Helbest Remzbar Qendîl, a member of the Rojhilat Young Women's Union, about how patriarchal mentality has deepened in the region and the struggle of women and young people against it.

 

WOMEN'S CONSCIOUSNESS MUST BE FORMED

 

Helbest Remzbar Qendîl stated that throughout history, those in power have carried out a very subtle massacre against women, adding, "Women's movements in Kurdistan and around the world are identifying this violence. These identifications are based on an old and long history. We can observe many things in society. Physical violence, rape, child marriage are very visible things. We see them every day. We often see in the news that women are being burned, killed, murdered in the middle of the street in front of everyone. This pressure and violence against women is very clearly being perpetrated. On the other hand, the capitalist modernity system now employs a softer form of violence, which is not easily discernible. It is essential to correctly perceive the violence inflicted physically, socially, and psychologically. A consciousness of women must be fostered, especially among young people. As a new generation emerges, this violence can become more subtle and more severe. Therefore, a clear and open struggle against violence is necessary."  

 

VIOLENCE IS A UNIVERSAL ISSUE 

 

Noting that the authorities have introduced a more "subtle" and comprehensive form of violence in Rojhilat following the "Jin, jiyan, azadî" resistance, Helbest Remzbar Qendîl said the violence being perpetrated is a universal issue. “However, it is necessary to specifically describe and understand the violence faced by women in Rojhilat. Taking ourselves as an example, 'Jin, jiyan, azadî' was a stance against this violence. The feudalism and oppression of power were answered by the 'Jin, jiyan, azadî' revolution. However, some circles of power, especially after this revolution, increased the violence they inflicted on women by changing their methods. They tried to appear 'softer' in some areas, but in reality, this was not the case. The massacres of women continued; we witnessed sexual assaults on children. Finally, in a factory, dozens of women were burned to death, and two were martyred, due to the state's failure to fulfil its duty and take responsibility. All of these are examples of the regime's continued oppression of young women. For Rojhilat and Iran, we can say that as long as the women's struggle continues, so does the violence. The result is the negation of women's identity, will, thought, and role. This aim is still being pursued even in this century."

 

CASTE-LIKE KILLER 

 

Helbest Remzbar Qendîl stated that the mentality of the caste-like killer (a system that accumulates power within itself, makes itself untouchable, and imposes this on society in the form of absolute domination, oppression, and violence) is a global mentality. 

 

She added that hegemonic powers spread this mentality through undemocratic countries: "When we look at the basis of attacks against women, the Leadership clearly stated this in its latest manifesto; there is a 30 thousand-year-old understanding of power and a mentality. It also defined this as 'caste-like killer'. This still persists today. Power creates its own mould, creates itself, and shapes women accordingly. It wants women to conform to this. This is the source of violence and oppression. The Leadership has addressed this extensively throughout history. How did the male mentality, the Caste-like Killer, come about and how did it organise itself? The Leadership discusses this throughout the manifesto. Today, our ability to see our existence, to identify the Caste-like Killer and to fight against it was formed by the philosophy of Leader Apo. Despite severe isolation in Imrali, Leader Apo identified these issues and offered us a new definition as well as a path for struggle. We cannot view this merely as a matter of the state, the family, or love. The caste killer is a global mentality. The use of women as tools by hegemonic powers and capitalists is also a product of this mentality. Undemocratic states and state structures that do not prioritise the democratisation of society become tools of these hegemonic powers. This mentality spreads everywhere through states."

 

Helbest Remzbar Qendîl also emphasised the importance of the struggle against this mentality, stating, "For this reason, women must struggle more and expand their struggle. What they are up against is not a small matter, and this struggle will not be insignificant. If we can identify this correctly, we can take a more determined stance, both as women and as young women.”

 

THE FALSE DEFINITION OF FREEDOM 

 

Helbest Remzbar Qendîl emphasised that the false freedom offered to women is intended to distort true freedom. She said women in Rojhilat and Iran have roles and responsibilities and they must prioritize the freedom. She said: “The system defines a woman's ability to work, earn money and own a car as freedom and offers freedom to women in this way. However, we must not accept this. Freedom should be defined by women themselves. Freedom is being able to protect your will, defend yourself, and play a role in all areas of society. Freedom is existing with our perspective in politics, art, and various other fields. As women, we must reveal our essence. However, in this false freedom imposed on us, women are seen as objects. A false freedom is offered through the body, the face, and beauty. This prevents true freedom from emerging. This is one form of violence we can identify. Of course, physical violence exists and must be overcome. It is important to fight against the capitalist modernity's understanding that seeks to instrumentalise women. A strong struggle is necessary." 

 

WOMEN'S COMMUNITIES 

 

Drawing attention to the role of women in the Peace and Democratic Society Process initiated by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan Helbest Remzbar Qendîl concluded: “The leadership has initiated a process for the democratisation of society. Young women are the pioneers of the process of living together. If women want freedom, they must form communes and create their own communes. The basis of the communes is Rojhilat and Iran. With communes, women can gather their strength and create change and transformation. Reading the Leader's writings is very important at this stage. Leadership has tested everything with words and then put it into practice. It has not left it at words alone. As young women of Rojhilat, we must form our unity to advance this process and achieve women's freedom by securing the physical freedom of Leader Apo. What does Leader Apo's freedom mean? It means the defeat of the caste-like killer mentality. With Leader Apo's physical freedom, we can achieve women's freedom. Women must know in which areas they will struggle; this is the vehicle of the revolution. Young women have no fear; the quest for freedom is always there. This quest has been suppressed. We must liberate ourselves from this suppression and advance our quest for freedom. 

 

TOMORROW: Women are uniting against violence and oppression

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut