The 3rd congress of the Free Women's Movement of Kurdistan (RJAK) is taking place in Sulaymaniyah in South Kurdistan. 200 women delegates and 50 guests are attending the congress. 

KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Co-president Nilüfer Koç, KJK representative Jiyan Lawa, DBP Hewlêr office  representative Şükran Dikmen, Yekitiya Star Sulaymaniyah representative, Gorran Movement and PUK women's representatives and representatives of the Jiyan and Arin women and women writers and academics are also at the congress. 

Öcalan: This will be the century of women's revolution

A message from Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan was read out.

Öcalan's message, entitled: ‘the 21st century will be the century of women's revolution' noted that the Middle East was going through a crucial phase, with conflict and massacres everywhere. He said women had suffered, such as in Sinjar where they had been sold and tortured. He emphasised that women needed to wage a struggle against the male mentality. He said that without the struggle of women a democratic and free life would be impossible.

Öcalan's message also said the struggle of women in South Kurdistan had an important role to play. "Today our country and region is under the tyranny of ISIS fascism. For ISIS you women who are seeking freedom are the greatest enemy. That is why they are attacking women and trying to enslave them. Women are the backbone of every society and just as in Sinjar and Kobanê it is women who must take the lead," the message added.

'Women's freedom is more important than earth and water

Öcalan's message said women's organisation was one of his greatest inspirations, adding that he believed in women reorganising their own programmes, organisational model and lives. "I have waged a significant for this. For me women's freedom is more important than earth and water. I have made efforts for women to have a free life."

His message said he still believed in his thesis that there is no life without women, but that there was no life with existing women. He said women could free themselves from 5,000 years of slavery and determine their own social lives. The message continued: "You will build your own economic and social lives and in the process you will reform the brutal men. You have patience and you toil. Believe in yourselves. In the Middle East you are leading women."

'Do not allow anyone to dominate your lives'

The message continued, saying women should not allow themselves to be married off or to permit others to dominate their lives. He also warned of the dangers posed by capitalism. "You should be everywhere, not just at home. Women should make their voices heard everywhere. Free women rise like the sun."

Öcalan's message said women should continue to play a leading role in the peace and democracy movements, as women were the basis of peace and democracy.  "Your freedom means freedom for the whole of society. I greet you, all, confident in the knowledge that you will take ownership of these fundamental tasks."