Speaker: It is well known that women bear the brunt of a community's suffering. Kurdish
women possess strength. They are neither passive nor helpless. From those in Iran, who
took to the streets in response to the brutal murder of Jina Amini, to those women on the
frontlines of northeast Syria. Kurdish women play a major role in different aspects. Such as
law, politics, science and as freedom fighters. Yet media attention on them has mainly
focused on our engagement of armed combat against ISIS. Without any doubt we are safe
because of their sacrifices. Nevertheless, Kurdish women suffer from a double oppression on account of both their gender and ethnicity. Northeast Syria has witnessed a change in
gender roles thanks to the women defenders who broke the stereotypes and main
breadwinners in their communities. This is a great achievement, however there are still
immense obstacles to surpass given that they face a precarious future in an unstable region
under constant attack by Turkey. This instability leaves them unable to focus on other
issues. Such as their livelihoods. More recently, residents in northeast Syria have once
again come under attack and its targeting of critical infrastructure, power stations, oil
supplies, schools and even a Covid-19 hospital. Turkey therefore threatens their very
existence. We urge the international community to protect them, hear them and support their
fearless fight. Kurdish women are leading a revolution in Iran and promoting gender equality.
[inaudible] Kurdistan.