This photograph is a monument created to honor the memory of revolutionary Sakine Cansız (Sara). It was taken in a tunnel in the Metîna region, where the resistance against the Turkish state's attacks continues. This tunnel holds an important meaning in the history of women’s freedom struggle. It was here that the first women’s party, YAJK (Yekîtiya Azadiya Jinên Kurdistan), was founded. As winter was turning into spring in 1995, hundreds of female revolutionaries gathered in this cave. The one who led and presided over this congress was Sakine Cansız. Today, the freedom guerrillas seen in this photograph have engraved the memory of the first women’s party, YAJK, and its pioneer Sara, into the stones of this tunnel, which they built with their own resources.

The cave where Sakine Cansız wrote her book “My Life Was Always Struggle” continues to be a place that preserves the memory of both YAJK and Heval Sara, even years later. The cadres of the women’s freedom movement trained here, walking in Sara’s footsteps, strengthening their commitment to women’s freedom and the liberation struggle of their country. They continue to fight and resist with the same spirit today. The great revolutionary Sara began organizing women before the PKK was founded and held meetings with women in many places. In 1979, when Sara was arrested by the fascists, and her resistance in prison became a symbol of Kurdish women’s honor and struggle. She resisted for 12 years in prison without giving in, and as soon as she was released, she went to see Abdullah Öcalan and then to the mountains.

Women guerrillas are moving step by step to freedom

After engaging in valuable dialogues with Leader Öcalan, she moved to the mountains and participated in guerrilla activities in various regions of Kurdistan, particularly in Zap, Kandil, and Metîna, where she not only participated in guerrilla warfare but also took on leadership roles. Heval Sara played a pioneering role in realizing Leader Öcalan's vision of women’s freedom, providing resistance and combat training to female guerrillas wherever she went. The tunnel built by guerrilla forces to preserve the memory of Sakine Cansız and YAJK is now at the center of a historic resistance in Metîna. The freedom guerrillas are resisting the fascist Turkish army at the site of the YAJK tunnel and in every corner of Metîna.

This resistance remains as the most important response the guerrillas have given to the enemy on the 12th anniversary of the Paris Massacre. YJA Star guerrillas are strengthening their struggle with their deepened commitment to Martyr Sara’s legacy. The inscription “YAJK” has become a historical symbol, and the photograph beneath Sakine Cansız's book "My Life Was Always Struggle" represents the symbol of resistance and determination. Women walking in line with Leader Ocalan’s vision have overcome all challenges through Heval Sara’s example, advancing in the struggle with firm steps.

The first steps are always the hardest, but it is those difficult steps that become part of history. Today, in the Metîna region, YJA Star guerrillas represent the resistance of the era in line with this historical legacy. The women guerrillas, chanting Leader Öcalan’s words "YAJK is the guarantee of freedom," are advancing step by step towards