NEWS CENTER - The 3rd Congress of the Êzidî Women's Freedom Movement (TAJÊ) hold its third congess in Shengal with the participation of 250 delegates.

 

Held under the slogan “Towards Communal Life with Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, life, freedom),” the TAJÊ congress opened with a moment of silence for the martyrs of the freedom struggle and the 74th genocide. In addition to TAJÊ members, representatives of women’s communes, Arab women delegates from Shengal, guests from Mexmur (Makhmur), and Êzidî activists are also attending the congress. Women’s organizations that could not attend sent messages to the congress.

 

Speaking at the opening, TAJÊ spokesperson Riham Hico said they would expand the struggle for the rights of Êzidî women and for the status of Shengal. She stated that women would continue the struggle for a communal, free, and democratic life, and resist pressure and impositions directed against women.

 

During the congress, Abdullah Öcalan’s women’s perspectives and TAJÊ’s activity report covering the last two years will be presented, political, social, and organizational work will be evaluated, the renewed Social Contract will be put to a vote by the delegates, the new term’s work plan and coordination will be determined.

 

Several messages of solidarity and support were sent by many institutions and women’s organizations. The messages particularly emphasized the women’s resistance in Shengal and the leading role of women in the reconstruction of the Êzidî community.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Shengal Martyrs’ Families Institution, Pakîze Celal stated that they dedicated the congress to all women fighting for their rights and called for a joint struggle against femicides and women’s suicides. She stressed that women’s solidarity must be strengthened.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Shengal Women’s Units (YJŞ), Axîn Întîqam drew attention to the historical importance of the congress and said that the struggle carried out over the past ten years had been built through great sacrifices. “Every woman must embrace this struggle. We have paid heavy prices during this process. If we have reached this stage within 10 years, this is a revolution. We must take on more responsibility than ever before,” she said.

 

Stating that Êzidî women are fighting not only for their freedom but also for the faith, culture, and identity of their society, Axîn Întîqam emphasized that strong decisions must emerge from the congress.

 

Expressing full confidence in Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Axîn Întîqam continued: “Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) offered us a philosophy. We must act accordingly. He wanted us to transform the level we have reached into a stage of renaissance. This idea needs to be understood correctly. All women must mobilize to guarantee their freedom. As long as even one Êzidî woman remains under oppression, we cannot say our struggle is complete. Attacks against our achievements are still continuing in different forms. We must struggle more strongly against this. With all our will, we will stand by TAJÊ and fight selflessly to protect it.”

 

A delegation from the Şehîd Rustem Cûdî (Maxmur) Refugee Camp also attended the congress. Qîmet Şirnexî, a member of the Mexmur Ishtar Council Coordination, said they shared the suffering experienced by Êzidî women, noting that women are affected most severely by wars.

 

Conveying the message of the women of Mexmur, Qîmet Şirnexî said: “We congratulate this congress dedicated to Leader Apo, the martyrs, and all Êzidî women. Women today are struggling for their freedom and future. A dirty war is being carried out in our region, and women are suffering its heaviest consequences. International powers are making us victims of their own interests. They seek to occupy our lands and destroy our language and culture. As the women of Maxmur, we understand the pain of Êzidî women and do not see ourselves as separate from you.

 

Leader Apo says that communal life will be built by women. This life has been built through women’s labor. The struggle of Êzidî women must grow even stronger. We have this will and strength. Women can struggle for the freedom of societies. Life will be liberated through women. We say: ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî.’”

 

Written messages from the Êzidî Women’s Councils Umbrella (SMJÊ), Rojava Êzidî women, and Êzidî rights advocate Meyan Xêrî Beg were read aloud.

 

In their messages, the Russia Kurdish Women’s Union Vîyan and the Êzîdxan Institution expressed hope that the congress would mark the beginning of a new life, recalling that ISIS attacks had especially targeted Êzidî women. “As Kurdish Yazidi women living in Russia, we consider your pain as our own. Your resistance is a source of pride for us. No matter where we live, our struggle is common,” the message stated.

 

In their messages, women’s platforms in North and South Kurdistan also called for increased solidarity among Kurdish women’s movements and for strengthening the common struggle.

 

The messages from women’s movements stated that the resistance put up by Êzidî women against ISIS attacks had become an important symbol for the women’s struggle, expressing hope that the third congress would further strengthen women’s organization.

 

Following the speeches, compilations regarding Abdullah Öcalan’s evaluations on women were read.