“The freedom of Shengal women is the freedom of humanity” campaign led by CENİ continues to grow. CENİ representative Canan Polat stated that the freedom of women from Shengal did not only concern Kurdish women, and the campaign aimed to create a universal women’s struggle against femicides that take place in all parts of the world.

Nine Kurdish women’s organizations led by CENİ Kurdish Women’s Bureau launched “the freedom of  Shengal women is the freedom of humanity” campaign that continues to receive international support and attention.

Speaking to ANF, CENİ representative Canan Polat stated that UTAMARA and International Free Women’s Foundation carry out the projects of the campaign and International Kurdish Women Agency and CENİ carry out diplomatic activities.

‘ÊZÎDÎ WOMEN’S TRAGEDY IS BEING REPORTED’

Polat stated that an Italian delegation of 13 people visited the Newroz Camp located in Kurdistan and made observations and interviews in order to support the campaign. The delegation is currently preparing a 100 pages long report on Êzîdî women’s tragedies and will release this important document in the near future. Polat stated that the report would focus on the experiences of Êzîdî women and present data on how many women have been captured and enslaved by ISIS.

‘DISCONNECTING WOMEN FROM THEIR LANDS WOULD CAUSE A SECOND TRAUMA’

Polat stated that some Êzîdî women are receiving treatment in Germany after the agreement made by KDP and the German state, and criticized these actors’ decision to prevent women’s institutions from having access to these traumatized Êzîdî women. Polat stated that disconnecting women from their lands would cause a second trauma, and the campaign aimed to establish women’s centers in Shengal in order to provide them with medical and psychiatric support in their own lands.

‘WE ARE CREATING AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK WITH THE CAMPAIGN’

Polat stated that the freedom of Shengal women did not only concern Kurdish women, and they were creating an international network with the campaign. Polat pointed out that femicides like the one in Shengal also happen all around the world, and their efforts such as the recent conference in the UN aimed to bring international attention to the experiences of women such as the ones in Shengal. Polat called on women all around the world to unite against ISIS brutality and take action in order to contribute to women’s liberation in Shengal and in other parts of the world. Polat listed the following as the decisions that were taken at the end of the UN conference:

- UN mechanisms should impose sanctions on Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar for their collaboration with ISIS, and take action in order to stop the logistical support flowing into ISIS.

- The campaign should be implemented and joint panels and events should be held in different countries.

- We should continue sending delegations to Shengal and Rojava, shape our struggle with the guidance of delegation reports, and provide material and moral support for the liberation of women from Shengal.

- We should establish Shengal Women’s centers and staff them with doctors and psychiatrists.

- We should form international committees for diplomatic efforts and create free women’s communes in order to actively combat femicides all across the world.