The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) held the Second Forum on Women and Protection in the Middle East under the slogan “An Organized Woman is a Strong Woman, and a Strong Woman is the Foundation of Self-Protection.”

The forum was held in Tabqa on Monday with the participation of 500 delegates, including women's organisations, YPJ fighters and military council members.

The forum at Tabqa Culture and Art Centre started with a moment of silence, followed by a speech by the YPJ General Commander, Sozdar Dêrik, who said, “We will not let any obstacle affect our struggle. This struggle will lead us to victory.”

Sozdar Dêrik drew attention to the importance of women's emancipation and strengthening their self-defence and said, ‘We need to liberate all women so that they can get their rights, be strong and protected. This has been our primary goal from the beginning.”

Dêrik noted that the wars in the Middle East serve the interests of the powers, not the peoples. Describing the conflicts in many countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Yemen as ‘wars of genocide’, Sozdar Dêrik emphasised that women's struggle plays a key role in overcoming the destruction caused by these wars.

Stating that the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) has become a philosophy of freedom for women's movements around the world, Sozdar Dêrik noted that this slogan has been banned in Amed tr: Diyarbakır) in Northern Kurdistan and said that the occupying policies in Turkey aim to suppress the women's struggle.

The forum also discussed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s evaluations of the role of women in the democratic transformation of the Middle East, which highlighted the historical importance of women in the struggle for social freedom.

A video message sent by the Party of Free Women in Kurdistan (PAJK) and a cinevision show on women's struggle in Northern and Eastern Syria were also screened.

The forum discussed in detail the protection of women, the strengthening of the culture of self-defence and the leading role of women in the construction of a democratic and ecological society. The forum also discussed efforts to develop strategies to build regional defence mechanisms with the goal of providing a safe and sustainable environment for women.

Following the discussions, the forum ended with the reading of messages, theatre performances and songs. Women's movements and organisations participating in the forum reiterated their commitment to continue and strengthen the struggle in the region.

The final declaration of the Second Forum on Women and Protection in the Middle East includes the following:

“At the outset of this concluding statement, and to ensure it remains a luminous beacon for a world filled with greater justice, freedom, peace, and security, we honor the memory of the Butterflies of Freedom—the Mirabal sisters—and our fallen comrades, who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for freedom. Among them are Martyr Nalîn Mûş, Helîn Karê, Şevîn Karzan, Jiyan Tolhildan, Rojna Aqîd, Leyla Aqre, and Arîn Mîrkan. We extend our deepest respect to their noble spirits, remembering them as towering symbols of sacrifice and unyielding determination. These heroines, who offered their lives on the altar of humanity, are not mere fleeting memories in the history of our people and homeland. Their legacy is a guiding light that strengthens our resolve in defending our dignity and freedom as women.

Through this forum, we renew our commitment to the ideology of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, a symbol of free thought and a pioneer of democratic confederalism. His philosophy embodies sincere camaraderie with women and supports their struggle for liberation. We affirm our participation in the campaign for Öcalan’s physical freedom, believing that his liberation represents the freedom of women and the key to peace and dignity for all peoples.

The Second Forum on Women and Protection convened on November 25, 2024, under the slogan “An Organized Woman is a Strong Woman, and a Strong Woman is the Foundation of Self-Protection.”

It took place during an exceptionally critical juncture, amidst highly sensitive regional and international conditions. The Middle East, due to its strategic location and diverse makeup, has become a theater for global competition and a battleground for the Third World War, with all its devastating consequences. This forum brings together distinguished women leaders and representatives of feminist organizations from various regions to discuss the realities of women’s roles and the enormous challenges they endure as a result of the conflicts ravaging the area.

This global conflict, now an all-encompassing international struggle, has caused catastrophic repercussions for women in the Middle East. Women have not only become victims of the most egregious forms of violence but have also been systematically targeted in these brutal wars, culminating in comprehensive genocidal campaigns. For instance:

In Kurdistan’s mountains, the Free Women’s Troops (YJA-STAR) confront the fiercest assaults, including the use of internationally banned chemical weapons.

In northern and eastern Syria, women face systematic eradication by the Turkish fascist state, which not only unleashes the most barbaric military attacks but also seeks to annihilate the cultural and societal essence of Syrian women to dismantle the resilience of the entire populace.

In Palestine and Lebanon, women bear the brunt of catastrophic wars, enduring occupation and oppression while paying a high price.

In Iranian and Turkish prisons, the situation is even more dire, as women are executed or sentenced to life imprisonment simply for raising their voices for freedom under the slogan: “Women – Life – Freedom.”

Women have never been incidental victims of war and conflict; rather, they have been deliberate targets. By terrorizing women, oppressive forces aim to intimidate societies. By breaking women’s will, they break the will of nations, and by undermining women’s dignity, they undermine the dignity of entire communities. Women, as the foundation of strong, cohesive societies, are directly targeted by forces of war to dismantle societal structures and erode collective strength and resolve.

Yet, despite this grim reality, women remain an inexhaustible source of energy. Like the phoenix, they rise from their ashes, resilient against the tides of time. Women refuse to be mere victims at the altar of monstrous tyranny. They embody a perpetual revolution, resilient against adversity, and unyielding in the face of calamities, with no place for surrender in their vocabulary.

The Free Women’s Troops (YJA-STAR), the Women’s Defense Forces in Eastern Kurdistan (HPJ), the Women’s Units of Shengal (YJŞ), the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), the Beth Nahrain Syriac Forces, the Khabur Assyrian Guard, and the Women’s Civil Defense Forces (HPC-JIN) in northern and eastern Syria have collectively reflected the essence of women’s reality and strength. These military entities stand as exemplary models of women’s resistance, showcasing their determination to protect their identities. These forces have played a pioneering role in building a defensive system rooted in confederal and communal principles, challenging centralized authoritarianism, and paving the way for democratic societal structures.

These entities have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to transform suffering into a force for resolution, turning tragedy into an opportunity for revival. Women, through these organizations, have become pivotal to constructing a new world based on freedom, justice, and equality. They have emerged as symbols of a humanitarian project that transcends traditional authority, fostering societal relations built on solidarity and collective organization.

Amid these existential challenges, this forum underscores that establishing a women’s defense system within the framework of a Women’s Confederation in the Middle East is not merely an option but an urgent moral and humanitarian necessity. This system will serve as a shield to safeguard dreams of social justice, making our shared struggle a launchpad for building a future of peace and humanity where women lead the journey for freedom and dignity.

Key Discussion Points:

- The impact of the Third World War and escalating conflicts on Middle Eastern women and strategies for addressing these challenges.

- The obstacles facing women in protection and defense.

- Policies and measures required to ensure the protection of women.

- Promoting the culture of women’s self-defense as a tool for empowerment.

- Practical strategies for building local and regional defense mechanisms to protect women and guarantee their active leadership in constructing democratic and ecological societies that uphold women’s freedom.

- Strengthening collaboration with feminist movements to create a safe and sustainable environment for women in the Middle East.

Strategic Recommendations:

- Establishing a Women’s Security and Protection Council in northern and eastern Syria.

- Forming a Women’s Security and Protection Council for the Middle East.

- Strengthening integrated national and regional policies to protect women.

- Developing educational programs to equip women with the skills and knowledge needed to defend their identity and to enhance their capacities in politics and diplomacy concerning protection and defense.

- Sharing intellectual and practical experiences in women’s self-defense to counter systematic genocides and sexual violence.

- Building feminist support networks at local and regional levels to encourage women’s engagement in community security and defense.

- Launching training initiatives to empower women in community defense roles and prepare them for leadership in protecting their communities.

- Collaborating with international feminist organizations to establish joint mechanisms offering support and training for women in conflict zones.

- Enhancing regional cooperation to create shared platforms for exchanging expertise and providing practical solutions to women’s protection issues.

- Developing a regional framework to implement the forum’s recommendations and unify policies for safeguarding women and reinforcing their role in peace-building and societal protection.

- Partnering with global human rights organizations and feminist institutions to direct regional efforts toward creating a safe and free environment for women in the Middle East.

Let these recommendations be the agenda of our united struggle on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, reminding us all of the urgent need for solidarity and unity in confronting these genocides. We must not be misled by the false promises and hollow commitments of patriarchal systems. Instead, we shall transform every day into a day of resistance under the banner: “With the Philosophy of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’, We Will Protect Ourselves.”