In our 10th year, we once again welcome the 8th of March as International Women’s Day. We have always stated that we would be a force for women’s rights and freedom. On this occasion of the 8th of March, we reiterate our promise and secure all the values achieved by our martyrs. We commemorate all the women who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and women’s liberation.
The earthquakes that struck Northern Kurdistan, Turkey and Syria have caused great pain and claimed the lives of countless people. Mothers, women and children have died, and thousands of others remain as victims, the injured and orphans. This year, we welcome the 8th of March with grief. This earthquake has revealed once again the fact that the system acts only according to its own self interest.
The policies of the system turned these days into that of darkness, grief and pain, proving once more that the system has never been able to protect the people. If the people do not create their own self-defense in all fields, then they will always remain under the rubble of the system. In the century we live in, there have been great wars and destruction, and all this is a consequence of the male-dominated state system.
On the other hand, women have proven that they can successfully take responsibilities in the struggle for freedom. In particular, the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ [Woman, Life, Freedom] has brought the spirit of the women’s revolution to the women of the world. The continuous popularity of this slogan has raised the belief that women have the power to intervene. As the YPJ, we share the pain of women, and we declare that we are the defenders of the cause of social justice, true democracy and freedom. We will stand up for social values and will fight for ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ to resonate everywhere.
In the meantime, we salute the resistance of the YJA-Star freedom guerrillas who carry out a unique struggle against chemical weapon attacks of the invading Turkish state in the mountains of Kurdistan. We feel them in our hearts and minds. The women’s struggle of the YJA-Star guerrillas has been a unique example and source of inspiration.
We celebrate the 8th of March with the resisting spirit of the YJA-Star guerrillas and the women in Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan). Women’s liberation will become universal under the leadership of Kurdish women. We promise all women that we will protect our historical values and increase the struggle. We will defend our mission and make the women’s revolution successful under the motto ‘Jin Jiyan Azadi’.
YPJ General Command
07-03-2023