The 4th Women and Culture Festival in remembrance of Sakine Cansiz (Sara), a founding member of the PKK who was assassinated in French capital city Paris on 9th of January 2013, was held in the city of Zurich of Switzerland. The festival was organised by several institutions and political parties including Tevgera Jinên Kurd a Swîsreyê (Kurdish Women movement in Switzerland), Kasama, Labyrınthplatz, Mor Verein, Socialist Party, Al Alternative Liste, World Women's Conference, Frauen Cafe, Medico International, Basta, Grüne (Green Party), SKB, Solifonds, WILPF Schweiz International Women, Tev-Çand-Women, Kongra Star and Free Nekane.

Many activities took place in the tents pitched at the festival site, starting early in the morning with a panel on "Women and Self-Defence". In the panel Sakine Cansiz' decisive role in the women's struggle has been discussed with participation of women from Turkey, Kurdistan and Switzerland.

“SELF-DEFENSE IS A MUST AGAINST ALL KINDS OF VIOLENCE”

Speaking in the panel on behalf of the Kurdish Women's Movement Rojda Yıldırım explained that self defence can not get a foothold without organisation. Yıldırım reminded of the cases of murder and rape women around the world are facing every minute, saying: "Women can fight against any kind of violence by a well organized self defence, what is a woman's most legitimate right"

“OUR STRUGGLE IS CALLED SAKİNE”

Spokesperson of the Kurdish Women's Movement in Switzerland, Semra Aytaç, held the festival's opening speech and recalled the life of Sakine Cansız, stating that Cansiz worked very much and greatly contributed to the women's struggles in Kurdistan and worldwide. Aytaç said: "Sakine Cansız is the name of the struggle and resistance of the Kurdish women. Sakine's whole life was always a struggle, and for us Sakine's name is our struggle."

CANSIZ'S BROTHER: SARA'S FIGHT CONTINUES IN ROJAVA

Metin Cansız, brother of Sakine Cansız also spoke at the festival and talked about the French state covering up the case on the assassination of Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan and Leyla Şaylemez in the heart of Paris. He said: "Whatever they do, they will never be able to hamper the struggle of Sara and her comrades. Sara lives on in Rojava, she is embedded in the resistance of the female fighters."

During the festival many activities were held in the various languages addressing the problems of women around the world .Thereafter dances and folklore performances were displayed, followed by the performances of musicians Berivan Arin and Eylem Akdaş.