March 8, International Women’s Day, is not merely an occasion on the calendar for celebration; this day is a reminder of a long history of suffering, struggle, awareness, resistance, and demanding justice and equality.
It is a day that emerged as a result of women’s struggle for rights, dignity, equality, and freedom, and became a global symbol for confronting oppression and discrimination. Therefore, on this day, we extend our congratulations to all the women of the world, especially the women of Kurdistan, and all those men who seek equality and freedom.
In Kurdish language, culture, and civilization, woman is the source of life, the creator, and the sustainer of hope.
No society can attain true liberation and progress without the conscious, free, and equal presence of women. Historical experience has also clearly shown that no liberation movement can achieve complete victory or guarantee freedom without the role of women.
Feminism is not based on opposition between women and men, but rather on growth and companionship; it builds the body of society. Wherever this balance is disturbed, oppression and destruction have taken the place of justice and progress.
In this context, Kurdish women hold a clear and inspiring place in the history of national struggle and the quest for freedom. The Kurdish woman is not merely a symbol of suffering and victimhood; she is a symbol of resistance, awareness, courage, leadership, sacrifice, and steadfastness.
Throughout the ups and downs of Kurdistan’s history, our women, at home and in society, in the spheres of culture and politics, in prison and exile, in cities, villages, and mountains, have struggled shoulder to shoulder with men, and at times even ahead of men, in defense of national identity, human dignity, and the ideal of Kurdistan’s freedom.
Even with a brief glance at the history of the Kurdish nation, it is clear that Kurdish women have played a visible and at times unparalleled role in various fields, from administration and leadership to command, enlightenment, organization, and social stability.
On this day, it is fitting to remember the revolutionary women in Kurdish history, women such as: ((Qedem Xêri Qelawendm, Cihan Ara Khanim, Mesturey Erdelan, Serdar Bibi Meryemi Bekhtiyari, Khanzad Khani Miri Soran, Adile Khanim, Hepsexani Neqib, Perî Khan Xatuni Remenî, Shemsî Xatuni Ameriyan, Fesle Xatuni Temika, Mîan Xatuni Êzidî, Sousen Emîrî Kirmashanî, Rewshen and Leyla Bedirkhan, Dayfexatuni Eyubi, Fate Reshi Rewanduzi, Mina Khanmi Qazi, Leyla Qasim, Gulnaz Karatash, Rabie Muhammad Sergewrey Nanewakan, Fatime Muhyeddin, Guzide Khanmi Yamulki, Leyla Zana, the women of Afrin and Kobani, women guerrillas, Peshmerga, fighters, imprisoned women, and mothers seeking justice, and thousands upon thousands of other unnamed yet great women of Kurdistan. All of them are strong حلقهها in the chain of resistance of a nation. We pay tribute to their memory and believe that the history of Kurdistan’s liberation and independence will remain incomplete without the names of Kurdish women.
At the same time, it must be said honestly that despite the valuable history of women’s status in parts of the culture and social life of the Kurdish nation, at different stages, especially under the pressure of a number of backward cultures and traditions imposed by the occupiers, the true role and status of Kurdish women have also been damaged and at times marginalized. Therefore, defending women’s rights for us is not merely a slogan, but an essential part of the project of national and social liberation and of achieving independence and establishing the independent state of Kurdistan.
We believe that in a society where women do not participate equally and on an equal footing, with full security and well-being, in decision-making and administration, that society will never see freedom and democracy.
Today, this truth stands before our eyes more than ever. The uprising of “Woman, Life, Freedom” and the Jina Revolution was not merely a cry against a misogynistic and oppressive power, but also a renewed declaration of the rebirth of a historical consciousness in Kurdistan and the other occupied regions within the fabricated and artificial geography of Iran; a consciousness that showed that the issue of women is not merely a matter of standing against inequality between women and men, but that women themselves have become the standard-bearers of fundamental change. The name Jina became a symbol of the awakening of consciences and the breaking of the wall of fear, and the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” which arose from Kurdistan, became a global language of dignity, liberation, and justice.
This revolution showed that women’s freedom is not a marginal or secondary issue, but rather lies at the heart of every real political and social change.
As the Kurdistan Independence Movement, on this great day, we bow with respect and pride before the Kurdish women fighters and once again emphasize that the struggle for Kurdistan’s independence, without guaranteeing the worthy place of women, without real equality, and without their direct and decisive participation in all political, social, cultural, and national spheres, will be an unfinished struggle. The freedom of Kurdistan and the freedom of women are not two separate paths; they are interconnected and inseparable.
For us, March 8 is both a day to honor Kurdish women fighters and a day to renew our commitment to the ideals of equality, freedom, and justice.
Once again, we declare our firm support for women’s rights, for the elimination of all forms of discrimination, for ensuring equal participation, and for building a free, just, and humane society.
Salute to the women of Kurd and Kurdistan
Blessed be March 8, International Women’s Day
Victory to the liberation struggle of our nation for the establishment of the independent state of Kurdistan
Kurdistan Independence Movement
17 Reshemmei 2725 Kurdish
March 8, 2026 AD
