AMED – The Kurdish Women’s Union Platform held its 3rd conference in Amed (Diyarbakır) under the slogan “With the unity of Kurdish women, toward national unity. The two-day conference, attended by 110 delegates, emphasized the leading role of women in preserving the Kurdish language and culture, advancing national unity, and building peace. A new secretariat was established to coordinate the work of a “women’s alliance.”
Platform member Saliha Ayata highlighted that Kurdish women came together around the pillars of language and culture. “Many women speak Kurdish and embrace their identity, yet they do not know one another. There is fragmentation. This conference aimed to overcome that through culture and language,” said Saliha Ayata, noting that discussions focused on building a language of peace and resisting violence against women.
ALLIANCE AS NECESSITY AGAINST PATRIARCHY
Saliha Ayata emphasized that the idea of a women’s alliance was a central theme of the conference: “Against patriarchal, assimilative, and genocidal mentalities, a collective breath and struggle are needed. Kurdish women must fight together. The alliance is no a choice but a necessity. A secretariat was established to coordinate this effort moving forward.”
PEACE AND NEW PARADIGM THROUGH WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
Saliha Ayata stated that the influence of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” was felt throughout the conference. “What peace means to a Kurdish woman and to a Turkish, Arab or Persian mother can differ greatly. A peace society based on language and culture can only be built through women. A new paradigm is possible,” she noted.
Stressing the importance of familiarity, dialogue, and cooperation among Kurdish women, Saliha Ayata added: “I hope this conference lays the foundation for a lasting women’s alliance. Women are the ones who will bring unity and peace.”
MA / Müjdat Can