Organized by the Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad – TJA), the “1st Kurdish Women Parliamentarians Conference” held in Amed (Diyarbakır) on May 28–29 concluded with the reading of the final declaration.

 

The final declaration read by MP Semra Çağlar Gökalp reads as follows:

 

"As Kurdish women in the Kurdistan territory, which is at the center of the capitalist global powers' and nation-states' constant war regimes, we have experienced exploitation and massacres in every part of the region. The war waged by the rulers is being carried out as a genocide against Kurdish women. As women who have never taken a step back from the struggle for our language, culture, and identity, we have demonstrated our resistance to the entire Middle East and the world as a path toward building a new life.

 

The women's struggle rising from Bakur (Northern Kurdistan) has become a model for a new life in Rojava. While women's uprisings against massacres in Bashur (Southern Kurdistan) are growing, women's organization in Shengal has become a response to femicides. Through Jina Amini, the Kurdish women's slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom)" has reached women around the world from Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan). Today, Kurdish women are expanding the steps and paths toward building their freedom with women's defense models, unlike in the past century. From Mina Qazi to Leyla Qasım, from Sakine Cansız to Xevrin Helef… Through them, the history of women's rebellion and freedom in four parts (of Kurdistan) shows the whole world that we are beginning to weave the 21st century into a Renaissance century for women. At a time when Kurdistan and the Middle East are at a historic turning point, holding the 'Kurdish Women Parliamentarians Conference' is of historical importance and marks a beginning for us Kurdish women. The memory and experiences of Kurdish women who have been killed, imprisoned, and exiled are the history of Kurdish women's struggle against racism, religious fundamentalism and sexism in this region. This conference has also been a demonstration of our determination and unity in shaping our common future together.

 

At the conference, where we discussed the possibilities of creating change and transformation in male-dominated politics through the joint struggle of Kurdish women in democratic politics, our experiences served as a bridge between us through the autonomous mechanisms and models we have created with our achievements. As the will and founding power of an equal and free life, we women will be the subjects of a women's libertarian change from parliament to every area of life. The struggle waged by women in parliament against male-state violence and policies of femicide plays a leading role in defending women's lives. It is essential for Kurdish women to take a united stance against sexist and discriminatory laws and to speak out for each other in the parliamentary arenas where they are present. We will defend and remember each other in the face of attacks such as early marriage laws, polygamy, sexual violence, political genocide against women, the forced abduction of Yazidi women, and female genital mutilation. We will organize to defend and build our gains, including the Istanbul Convention, CEDAW, the Rojava Women's Revolution documents, UN Resolution 1325, co-presidency, and equal representation.

 

We strongly highlight the ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ made by Mr. Öcalan and the leading role and responsibility of us Kurdish women parliamentarians in building peace. The unity of Kurdish women in word, action, and struggle will not only guarantee unity among Kurds, but will also ensure the viability of a democratic society in the four parts. The women's struggle encompasses multiple identities, participation, and is not merely a struggle of one gender, but also includes class, identity, belief, and ecological struggles. The representation of women in politics can play a role in the peace between peoples and faiths, as well as in the establishment of a democratic society by bringing unifying mechanisms to life. In this period when opportunities for a 'Women's Renaissance' are growing in Kurdistan, we can secure women's freedom and equality by uniting our strength in the struggle against all forms of war waged by the global capitalist system and male-dominated regimes that seek to legitimize reactionary, sexist, and violent practices. Just as male dominance attacks women in a comprehensive and unified manner, we women can overcome this system through a women's struggle and organization that transcends fragmentation and division. Our conference will carry out its work by taking a historic decision to establish the unity and organizational networks of Kurdish women parliamentarians at the local, regional, and global levels.”