My name is Dinya Ronahî. I was born in Shengal and am 27 years old. In 2016, I joined the YJŞ (Shengal Women’s Units). The main reason for this was my desire to do something for my people, and especially for Yazidi women and girls. I wanted to take revenge for the Yazidi women.

I grew up as a Yazidi woman in Shengal and witnessed the pain and consequences of the 2014 genocide with my own eyes. Many women were killed, abducted, and sold. To this day, the whereabouts of thousands of women remain unknown. These experiences sparked great anger within me and a strong desire to resist. I lived with a deep hatred for the enemy. I didn’t want to live just for myself, but to take responsibility for my people and for the women.

At the same time, the women of the YPJ and YJA-Star made a deep impression on me. When I saw them with weapons and ammunition belts and witnessed how they came to defend and liberate Yazidi women, it gave me hope, morale, and strength. For us, they were an example: We, as Yazidi women, can defend ourselves against the enemy. These experiences influenced my decision to join this cause and later become part of the YJŞ.

The Importance of the YPJ for YJŞ

The YPJ plays a crucial role in defending Yazidi women and in building YJŞ. The YPJ has given us strength, confidence, morale, enthusiasm, and hope.

The foundation for building YJŞ was also laid by the efforts and sacrifices of the women who fell in battle. The genocide against the Yazidis took place before the eyes of the world. Aside from the YPJ, YJA-Star, and some other comrades, no one raised their voice or responded to it. The women of the YPJ made great sacrifices and gave themselves to protect and save the Yazidi people, and women in particular.

They also played a vital role and made great efforts in the establishment of YJŞ. That is why the foundation of YJŞ is the YPJ, and the YPJ has become a driving force for YJŞ. They have helped Yazidi women develop confidence in their own abilities and cultivate their own sense of agency. We have grown under the influence of their ideas and philosophy. Because as women, we feel a bond with one another; we give each other strength and courage.

That is why we cannot separate the history of YJŞ from the history and contributions of the YPJ. Without the experiences and support provided by the YPJ, the development of YJŞ would not have been the same. At the same time, both complement each other as forces of resistance and as structures that take responsibility for women and their society.

We, as YJŞ—as Yazidi women—recognize that if the YPJ did not exist, neither would we. That is why we always stand by the YPJ, and they are always in our hearts. Whatever may come, no one can wipe out the YPJ. The YPJ has built itself up through its resistance, its own construction, its martyrs, and the sacrifices that have been made. That is why, in Sinjar today, the things that are happening—the will, the existence, and the standing that the women of Sinjar possess—have become known throughout the world. And all the women who were liberated and freed from the enemy’s clutches—the YPJ is the reason for that as well. That is why we say that we will always stand by the YPJ’s side. And our existence is linked to that of the YPJ. And we always say that the role and mission of the YPJ can never be forgotten or denied. Because wherever it was necessary, the YPJ has taken on responsibility. Just as they took on responsibility in 2014, they are there for all women.

The Current Situation in Shengal

Today, Yazidi women in Shengal continue to face major challenges. Attacks against women and a special warfare are taking place. We are in the midst of a major struggle—both against military forces and against TAJE (Freedom’s Movement of Êzidî Women). Pressure on women persists, as do attempts to undermine their will, their existence, and their self-determination. If we do not defend ourselves, educate ourselves, and secure our existence in Shengal—and, above all, if our existence is not recognized in Iraq—we will always be face to face with ferman (genocide). There will always be a way for genocide against women to occur. This is the situation facing Yazidi women. Every day—even when we look at the situation worldwide—women are being killed, and women are committing suicide.

For this reason, the YJŞ also faces the task of securing women’s existence and bringing it to light, continuing to educate itself, and taking responsibility for the women in Shengal.

If women have no way to defend themselves and determine their own existence, the danger remains that crimes such as the 2014 genocide will be repeated. That is why it is important to us that Yazidi women develop their own will and be able to determine their own existence.

YJŞ has made great efforts in this regard. The organization was built through the work, dedication, and sacrifices of many women. It has taken on responsibility for the women in Shengal and helped build trust and self-confidence. Today, we see that women in Shengal are playing a stronger role.

We therefore continue to see a close connection between the YPJ and the YJŞ. The experiences the YPJ has gained and shared have shaped us. Its role in the liberation of women and in building an independent women’s movement must not be forgotten.

The Importance of Self-Defense

For us, self-defense is of fundamental importance. Every living being has the right to defend itself. For a long time, however, women were denied this right. As women, we had no rights. Women were left without adequate protection and without the ability to determine their own lives and futures. That is why, for us, self-defense is more important and necessary than bread and water. And just as much, we as women have the right to defend ourselves. Our people have the right to defend themselves.

For Yazidi women, this reality became particularly clear through the events of 2014. If we had been able to defend ourselves back then—if we had been a military force and possessed the knowledge and means of existence that we have today—we would not have faced such a mass murder. So many women would not have fallen into the hands of the enemy, and the genocide could not have taken place in this form. That is why self-defense is very important to us as Yazidi women.

We must defend ourselves against any form of domination that suppresses our will and our existence—regardless of whether it originates from the state, patriarchal structures, or men.

The defense of women and the defense of society are interconnected and go hand in hand. If women have no way to protect themselves and take on responsibility, society as a whole remains defenseless. A society cannot fully exist without the active participation and will of women. For us, self-defense is a paramount duty, so that we can defend ourselves and defend our society. These are our efforts. That is why we view self-defense as a fundamental task. It stems from will, knowledge, awareness, and mutual trust. In Shengal, we have seen tremendous progress in this regard. The women of today are no longer the same as they were in 2014. The women of Shengal now play a very strong role because they have understood that without defense—without legitimate self-defense—they cannot live, because otherwise women’s very existence would be destroyed. And those in authority fear women’s defense and their ideas, which is why they constantly attack women. That is why defense is the most important thing for us and our society.

The experiences of the YPJ have shown us the way forward. That is why, as Yazidi women, we continue to feel connected to the women of the YPJ. Whatever happens in the future, the experiences, sacrifices, and resistance of these women will remain part of our history and have had a lasting impact on the development of women in Shengal.