“Jin, Jiyan, Azadi:” Woman, Life, Freedom.
It’s given that one may associate this slogan with Western feminist movements – rather than an all-female Kurdish military group. Yet, as the motto of an all-female ongoing movement formed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, or Rojava, which has gained notoriety for its emphasis on environmental issues and its prioritization of direct democracy, this slogan has become emblematic of a wildly successful brand of Middle Eastern feminism. In particular, this region in northeastern Syria is known for the Kurdish women who have single-handedly organized an incredibly potent feminist political revolution. It is spearheading new regional norms while continually opposing extremists such as IS. In the face of the normalization of misogyny and violence in not just Syria but worldwide, these Kurdish women have created a new world for themselves, one which we can all look towards in today’s increasingly extreme political climate.
The strength shown by these women was not just demonstrated through their ability to group and tackle these significant feminist issues, but also to do so under extreme government conflict and war. In Syria, a country that has rarely prioritized female voices, the group, as journalist Debbie Bookchin, who visited Rojava, explained, has exercised women’s rights as not just an aspiration, but as a reality. “It means that the entire culture is transformed: the way people think about every aspect of life – from education to marriage, from medical care to child care – is informed by the unique perspective of women. Most importantly, it ensures that women alone make decisions about their bodies, health, and futures.” Elected officials have echoed this message: in 2010, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, Abdullah Öcalan, declared that, “The freedom of the Kurdish people can be viewed as inseparably bound to women’s freedom.”
The group takes power in the fact that they are all-female, but while they fight, their womanhood is seen as both an asset and a weakness. While some media outlets and opponents use outdated misogynistic ideals to diminish Rojava’s ability, others realise that their womanhood sets them apart from other military groups in a way that can be beneficial. ISIS fighters, unafraid of death, reportedly feared being killed by women—a fate they believed would bar them from paradise. Such superstitions give Rojava an advantage against IS in battle. In the U.S. political sphere, Rojava has also been brought to light, but very fleetingly. In 2014, CNN named the Kurdish female fighters as the most inspiring women of the year. So, why, after a decade of continued success, have most never heard of this group, and why are they so frequently brushed aside in conversations surrounding equal rights and female political climates, despite having achieved a society rooted in gender equality in the most dangerous region for women in the world?
Rojava’s neglect stems from how it is covered in the media. The few who write about Rojava’s pursuits tend to prioritize the representation of their slogan in Western media, rather than focusing on legitimate action. They focus on their gender, but not on the specific issues they have fought against in their movement. The media frames these strong women in ways that center around “preconceived notions of femininity, centered on frailty and victimhood,” according to Pinar Tank, senior researcher at The Peace Research Institute Oslo.
Rojava deserves more frequent media coverage, not only to shed light on these inspirational women but also to offer a model for worldwide progress, as we witness politicians adopting stances that favor male dominance. An equal society — despite the best efforts of a government that prioritizes male perspectives on female issues – has been made possible by Rojava.
