Twenty-four women's organisations and political party representatives from the four parts of Kurdistan held the “Kurdish Women's National Unity Meeting” on 7 April in the city of Silêmanî (Sulaymaniyah) in the Federal Kurdistan Region with the aim of developing and building national unity. Following the meeting, the establishment of the “Kurdish Women's Union Platform” was announced to the public.  

 

Tara Hussein, former co-chair of Tevgera Azadî (Freedom Movement) and member of the platform, shared her thoughts on the platform's work and national unity with our agency. 

 

PURPOSE OF THE PLATFORM'S ESTABLISHMENT

 

Referring to the purpose and importance of the platform's establishment, Tara Hussein said that joint efforts have been underway since the congresses held in Bakur Kurdistan (North Kurdistan – Turkey) two years ago. 

 

Emphasizing that women are subjected to all kinds of oppression and violence in society and that their will is not recognised, Tara Hussein said: "That is why we consider the establishment of the Kurdish Women's Union Platform to be important. We had many reasons for establishing this platform. In addition, there are developments in the Middle East and efforts to redesign the Middle East.  The Third World War is taking place, and the Kurds are also affected by it. Undoubtedly, there are both dangers and opportunities."

 

Tara Hussein said that all women in Federal Kurdistan contribute to the platform and stated that national unity can only be achieved under the leadership of women. Noting that the platform plays an important role in this regard, Tara Hussein said that they will hold their first congress in Başur Kurdistan (South Kurdistan – Iraq). Tara Hussein then stated that they will hold the “Kurdish Women's National Congress” and noted that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and a few other political parties are not on the platform. Tara Hussein said that they will continue their work even for parties that did not participate. 

 

‘NATIONAL UNITY IS POSSIBLE WITH WOMEN’

 

Drawing attention to the role of women in the formation of Kurdish national unity, Tara Hussein said that they have made many decisions as a platform and that they have joint work ahead of them. Tara Hussein pointed out that women paid the highest price in the struggle of the Kurdish people, who were divided into four parts by the Treaty of Lausanne, and therefore emphasised the importance of the platform. 

 

“Kurdish national unity is possible with women's freedom,” said Tara Hussein and added: "Women in all four parts of Kurdistan are working together and carrying out joint efforts for national unity. This will have an impact on everyone. If healthy work is carried out and this work reaches the stage of a national congress, if women develop a new strategy and play their role in the construction of a democratic society and democratic socialism, the 21st century will be the century of women, the century of freedom for the Kurdish people. This is only possible with free women leaders."

 

Tara Hussein emphasised that Kurdish women in all four parts of the country share the same fate. "When there is success in one part, this success belongs to all of us. When there is failure in one part, it is our failure. Without a common struggle, we cannot talk about effective work. Women must transcend all boundaries and build the future," she said.   

  

AN EDUCATION INSTITUTE TO BE ESTABLISHED

 

Tara Hussein stated that every woman on the platform has different views and that all the decisions they have made and all the articles they have drafted are based on women's freedom. 

 

She concluded: “Preparations are underway for the third conference, which will be attended by women from the four parts. A decision has been made to establish an education institute, and women from different segments will be educated at this institute to ensure their active participation in the struggle.”

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut