Kurdish Women, Uncategorized

Jineology – science of women, science of revolution

Camilla Power, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, University of East London

“If women combine forces they can make a huge revolution”

With these words,  Fouwza Yusuf, cochair of Kongreya Star launched the founding congress of the Women’s Council of Northern and Eastern Syria (Jun 14 2019).

Practical evidence for women “making ourselves powerful” and “building a new life” was all around us. As a Perwerde delegation of US and European academics invited by Rojava University, we brought a message of solidarity to this historic congress. It was one of the most multicultural events I have witnessed with translations across four, five or more languages, and representation from multiethnic and multireligious communities, Islamic, Christian and also the preAbrahamic Yezidi. Women wore dazzling celebratory costumes showing off their traditions, alongside the more practical military fatigues of the YPJ (Women’s Protection Units). Continue reading “Jineology – science of women, science of revolution” →

Conflict resolution, Kurdish Women, Peace process

CALL FOR ACTION: CHALLENGE CAMERON’S SILENCE ON TURKEY!

 

Wednesday 23rd September, 4pm

Join us for a demonstration outside 10 Downing Street!

 

“Help build peace with the Kurds, rather than extend the war.”

 

Kurdish women shout slogans during the f...Kurdish women shout slogans during the funeral of a YPG (People's Protection Units) fighter in the town of Suruc, Sanliurfa province, on October 14, 2014. Attacking Islamic State jihadists met firm Kurdish resistance in the Syrian battleground town of Kobane on Sunday, as neighbouring Turkey heeded pressure to intervene and handed the US access to its air bases. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINISARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
Kurdish women shout slogans during the funeral of a YPG (People’s Protection Units) fighter in the town of Suruc, Sanliurfa province, on October 14, 2014. 
AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINISARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images

On Wednesday 23rd September at 4pm, a delegation of women will deliver an open letter signed by a coalition of prominent women’s rights activists to 10 Downing Street. The letter urgently calls on David Cameron to use his influence with the Turkish government to stop the violence being perpetrated against Kurdish civilians in the south east of the country.

Continue reading “CALL FOR ACTION: CHALLENGE CAMERON’S SILENCE ON TURKEY!” →

Kurdish Women

KJA: CALL to WORLD MARCH of WOMEN

The Free Women’s Congress (KJA) has sent out this invitation for a fantastic three day programme of events for the 4th World March of Women:

2015 world womens dayKJB

The 4th World March of Women of 2015 starts on 6th of March in Nusaybin to act in solidarity with the resistance of Kobanê. It meets with the Diyarbakir Meeting on 8th of March. We look forward for all women to go to Kurdistan for raising the solidarity.

KJA

Kongreya Jinên Azad

Free Women’s Congress Continue reading “KJA: CALL to WORLD MARCH of WOMEN” →

Kurdish community, Kurdish Women

Event report: Feminicide in Sinjar

Report of a seminar held at Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, on Saturday 22 November, organised by Roj Women and Peace in Kurdistan Campaign.

On Saturday 22 November, representatives of several women’s organisations gathered in SOAS University for a seminar to discuss the use of sexualised violence in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Syria. In particular, the event sought to bring attention to the kidnapping of Yezidi women in the Sinjar province by ISIS fighters in August and discuss ways to campaign for their release. The seminar was introduced and chaired Isabel Käser, a PhD candidate, at the Centre for Gender Studies, SOAS, and included members of a newly emerging Women’s Alliance for Kurdistan, Iraq and Syria, a platform of UK based women’s groups who convened following the crisis in Sinjar. Continue reading “Event report: Feminicide in Sinjar” →

Conflict resolution

Feminicide in Sinjar – sexual violence, conflict, and gender liberation in the Kurdish struggle

Peace in Kurdistan Campaign and Roj Women’s Association would like to invite you to


Feminicide in Sinjar – sexual violence, conflict, and gender liberation in the Kurdish struggle

[Venue]
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS University, London WC1H 0XG

[Date/Time]
Saturday 22 November, 5-7pm

Three months after ISIS fighters attacked the Iraqi region on Sinjar, the fate of thousands of women kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery following the raids is still unknown and no international investigation into their welfare has taken place. However, just as it has done in the defence of Kobane in Syria, the Kurdish Women’s Movement has mobilised with allied organisations to take action for the missing women.

This event will bring together women activists and representatives of the Kurdish women’s organisations to give you first-hand information about how people have responded to the crisis on the ground. We’ll also discuss the unique potential within the Kurdish Women’s Movement for engendering gender liberation in the region and its role in the development of the Rojava revolution.

Come and join us for this exciting one-off event!
Continue reading “Feminicide in Sinjar – sexual violence, conflict, and gender liberation in the Kurdish struggle” →