„Especially for women, self-defense is the first step. Why? Because women are the ones who are most targeted by violence, attacks, massacres, beatings and all other forms of violence.“
When we think of Rojava, we often think of the courageous YPJ fighters who are defending the women’s revolution. That is truly special. We need units like that all over the world. This is because, at all times and everywhere, we women are under attack, whether physically, ideologically or structurally. The patriarchy has developed various forms to force us into its desired mould. We must defend ourselves against this — that much is clear.
But what exactly does self-defense mean? And how does it relate to establishing a democratic society? What role do women play in this? Women from Kongra Star, the Women Protection Units YPJ and the Beth Nahrin’s Women’s Protection Forces discussed about these important topics. We will introduce this organizations briefly here and invite you to watch the discussion.
„It’s necessary for women to defend themselves, so that they can achieve change and build an organization, so that sociality is built and communality is created“ Shiraz Hemo – Kongra Star
In order to defend themselves against physical, ideological and structural attacks, women must first be aware of their situation. They need to understand themselves, as well as the patriarchal system and its mentality. To defend themselves, women must be organized because only as an organized force can they successfully fight the millennia-old mentality of patriarchal domination.
Based on these two principles, a women’s movement was founded in Rojava-Kurdistan in 2004. Today, it is known as Kongra Star and continues to work with this focus. Kongra Star organizes women within communes and district councils, drives the autonomous organization of women within the Autonomous Administration, campaigns against violence within society, and is politically committed to women’s participation in all areas of life. It carries out educational work in all areas of society, as well as at academies specially established for this purpose.
„The male authoritarian system has taken self-defense out of the hands of women and presented only the man as strong and the one who defends society. He takes the defense of all upon himself. In this way, women were enslaved.“ Newroz Ehmed, Commander YPJ
The Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), founded in 2013, are an all-female military self-defense force established in Rojava to protect women, society, and the right to self-defense. The YPJ’s female fighters have gained international attention for their courage and resistance in fighting various Islamist groups, such as Al-Nusra and ISIS. They have become a symbol for women around the world who are fighting for self-determination and women’s liberation.
The YPJ is a military and ideological force. Being organized as women in the YPJ means more than just carrying weapons. It also involves leading and educating themselves, and developing their own culture of struggle, defense, and solidarity among women, which contrasts with the militaristic, patriarchal nature of state armies.
The YPJ is pioneering the fight against patriarchal structures and mentalities within society as a whole, and is one of the most important achievements and defenders of the women’s revolution.
„In terms of self-defense, we have now reached a phase where every woman can defend herself and resist. Regional security and military institutions emerged with the participation of women from our society. Women were able to prove, ensure and affirm that strength and self-defense are not in opposition to being a woman.“ Nur Syriac – Beth Nahrain Women’s Protection Forces
As part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, women from the Christian community have organized themselves militarily to fight terror and violence and to promote peace, freedom, social justice and gender equality.
In 2015, they founded the Beth Nahrain Women’s Protection Forces to protect the Aramaic, Assyrian and Chaldean communities alongside the Syriac Military Council. ‘Beth Nahrain’ is Aramaic for ‘the land between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers’. The Beth Nahrain Women’s Protection Forces are fighting for the self-empowerment of Syriac women in the region. They are not only preservers of cultural identity, but are also actively involved in shaping and defending the future of their community and a diverse society in Syria.
