European Kurdish Women's Movement (TJKE) held its second General Assembly between June 17 and 20 with the participation of 115 delegates from several European countries. In its final declaration of the assembly, TJKE stated that it identified the construction of Democratic Nation as its main field of struggle, and decided to develop councils, communes, cooperatives, academies, and social projects within the framework of constructing free life and Democratic Nation.

After a moment of silence, opening speech and council elections, TJKE evaluated its organizational activities and the current political landscape. TJKE also drafted resolutions and elected its new administration during the assembly. During the assembly, Shengal and Kobanê resistances as well as HDP’s election success in Turkey were evaluated in length. TJKE saluted the victories of Kobanê and Girê Spî, and pointed out that the revolution in Rojava and the construction of Democratic Nation are led by YPJ and Kurdish women’s movement.

‘BRUTAL ISIS ATTACKS WERE REPELLED WITH WOMEN’S RESISTANCE AND SELF-DEFENSE’

TJKE highlighted the contribution of women’s resistance against ISIS and the gangs’ patriarchal system as a catalyzer for the universalization of women’s liberation resistance, and saluted the sacrifices of hundreds of woman martyrs such as Arin Mirkan, Ivana Hoffman, Sibel Bulut and Kader Ortakaya. TJKE stated that the isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan aims to prevent the recent gains of the Kurdish Freedom Movement, and called on everyone to support KCK’s call for ‘Free Leadership, consolidated ceasefire, and democratic constitution’ to realize the construction of a democratic, free and peaceful life in Turkey and the Middle East.

TJKE described ISIS attacks as not only genocide but also femicide, and pointed out that ISIS, Iran and the AKP government in Turkey all share the same patriarchal mentality that violently targets women.

‘FOUNDATION FOR EMBRACING WOMEN OF THE WORLD IS CREATED’

Highlighting the international reception of Kobanê and Şengal resistances, TJKE said that foundation for embracing women of the world is created, and the current situation imposes the expansion of women’s organized resistance beyond the borders of Kurdistan. TJKE recalled problems in grassroots organization efforts and identified the construction of Democratic Nation its main field of struggle. The assembly also made a decision to develop councils, communes, cooperatives, academies, and social projects within the framework of constructing free life and Democratic Nation.

TJKE emphasized the importance of creating women-oriented projects and institutionalizing shared living spaces in the solution of social problems. The assembly decided to continue its “Azadiya jinen Şengale azadiya mirovahiya” (Women’s freedom in Shengal is the freedom of humanity) and “Women are protesting for their Leadership and freedom” campaigns until they reach success. The 3 days long assembly ended with the reaffirmation of Kurdish women’s movement’s dedication to fulfill its historical role and carry the Rojava revolution to success in revolutionary spirit and solidarity.