In the Martyr Rüstem Cudi (Maxmur) Refugee Camp in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq), women staged a massive march on the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8.

Thousands of women in traditional colorful dresses gathered outside the building of the Martyrs’ Families Association before starting to march to the “April 4th Park” representing the birthdate of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Images of Öcalan and martyrs of the Kurdish freedom struggle were displayed during the march, while the slogans chanted were “Jin jiyan azadî” (Woman, life, freedom), “Bê Serok jiyan nabe” (No life without the Leader) ve “Şehîd namirin” (Martyrs are immortal).

Ishtar Women’s Council Coordination member Xantur Kara made a statement in the park and wished a happy March 8 to all women. We, the women in Maxmur, are laborers of Leader Öcalan’s freedom sprout. We are laborers in the building and expanding the democratic nation paradigm. For this reason, we say that, to us, March 8 is not an action, but a stance against the enemy. We call upon all women to unite against the massacre of women.”

The statement was followed by music and traditional dance.