Born and raised in Britain, 29-year-old Viyan is a woman with Eastern European roots. She decided to join the fight for women's rights and freedoms and use her own experience and strength for this cause. Witnessing the freedom struggle of women in Northern and Eastern Syria deeply affected her.

This journey brought with it not only a geographical transformation, but also an internal transformation for Viyan. The strength and determination of women's solidarity caused Viyan to discover her own power and embrace the struggle for women's rights even more tightly. The freedom struggle of women in Northern and Eastern Syria continued to attract the attention of women from around the world, like Viyan.

Viyan's story reflects women's determination to raise their voices and fight for their rights.

Viyan went to Northern and Eastern Syria in 2023. She talked to ANF about the Kurdistan Women's Movement and her reasons for coming to Northern and Eastern Syria.

Desire to know about the revolution from inside

Viyan said that she was involved in feminist organizations before coming to Northern and Eastern Syria, and added: "I heard a lot about Rojava from my friends. They were telling how magnificent and effective the resistance in Rojava was. We had friends who had not been to Rojava for a long time. That's why we couldn't talk about the details too much. We didn't know much about the reality on the ground. We supported it, but we did not know the details of the revolution. Before coming to Rojava, I was not aware of the details of the revolution. I came to Rojava in 2023. It was an emotional time as it caused changes in my life. I witnessed the power of women. The power of women in Rojava had a direct impact on the country where I was born and raised. I saw with my own eyes how women from different nations came together and organized in different countries, regardless of borders, and I was impressed."

Women are organized in all fields

Viyan said that she saw that women in Northern and Eastern Syria were not only organized in the military field, but also pioneered in every aspect of society, and added: "Many photographs of women fighting and holding weapons in their hands could be seen in foreign media. These photographs had an impact in Europe. But when I came to Rojava, I saw that women not only had weapons in their hands, they were organized in every aspect of society. Their level of communication with the public is very strong. They are leading the construction of a new society. Everywhere I went, I witnessed the struggles of women in Northern and Eastern Syria. They consider educating society as their duty and responsibility. They are in a tremendous struggle every second of their life. Their involvement in commune and council organizations had a profound impact. It is nice to see the female profile integrating with the public."

We have the duty to add strength to the women's struggle in Rojava

Noting that the women's struggle in Rojava is a source of hope for the women of the world, Viyan said: "The women in Rojava showed that we, as women, can be leading transformation and organize. They create a new model for the women of the world by defending women's rights, guiding society, and arguing that society cannot be liberated without liberating women. I see it as my duty to add strength to the women's struggle in Northern and Eastern Syria."

Abdullah Öcalan's paradigm will provide world freedom

Talking about Leader Abdulah Öcalan's ideas, Viyan said: "When I heard the name of Abdullah Öcalan, I thought about how a man would develop and defend the line of women's freedom. It was different from the situation I was in when I was in feminist groups. But after getting to know the Kurdish Freedom Movement and Abdullah Öcalan, I directly witnessed the bond between women and Öcalan. He was the Leader of the Revolution. He created a revolution that developed and continued with his will. The most striking example is his fight against the international conspiracy. He continued writing under conditions of isolation. He gave hope and showed the way. My narrow perspective that had developed was thus broken. Abdullah Öcalan is an unprecedented example. I want to deeply understand, read and live your ideas. Because Abdullah Öcalan's paradigm will ensure world freedom."

'I see the Rojava revolution as my own'

Viyan added: "Leader Öcalan opened the door for women to know themselves and organize. It empowered women and guided them to improve and transform themselves. He encouraged women and young people by setting them on a pioneering mission. As an international woman, I am happy to take my place in this revolution. Because this revolution is a woman's revolution and I see it as my own. Because I do not consider it as a revolution aimed only at Rojava, I consider it as a revolution directed at the people of the world. It is based on gaining experience from people's experiences. Therefore, I can easily say that I am a member of this revolution. Of course, I think it is not right to settle for this. I need to correctly evaluate my personality and my environment by challenging Capitalist Modernity. So I can create a new society and personality."

Continue the fight for the world's women

Viyan saluted all the women of the world on the occasion of 8 March, International Women's Day, and said: "We should never move away from our roots. 8 March is an important date in women's history, the history of women's organization. It is the day when women workers went on strike. I am sure that we will improve the struggle. I believe that the struggle will increase this year, from women in Northern and Eastern Syria to Abya Yala women, from political prisoners to European women. We will continue to fight to ensure the freedom of women around the world until the end."