The organized women’s army is the organized people’s army of Kurdistan

The national liberation struggle, guided and raised up by our party’s leadership, has ushered in unprecedented strides toward freedom within the hearts of our people today. Most notably, it has presented a unique opportunity for Kurdish women to rediscover themselves, resurrect their spirits, and embark on the path to liberation. It is clear that the Kurdish national liberation struggle is synonymous with the pursuit of women’s freedom and liberation, and that the struggle for women’s liberation intricately intertwines with the fight for the liberation of Kurdistan.

Never before has the quest for women’s freedom been so intertwined with the freedom of a nation. The severe enslavement imposed on women is intricately linked to the bondage in which our country finds itself, a reality unparalleled in any other nation. Our liberation, be it national or social, ultimately depends on the liberation of women. Given the historical and societal conditions, women’s emancipation entails a profound understanding of their circumstances and the pursuit of solutions grounded in freedom. Throughout history and into the present, we, as a people, have found ourselves in a position subject to severe criticism and belittlement, comparable to the plight of women.

Much like women, we are a people who endure the most extreme oppression and exploitation inflicted upon oppressed classes and peoples by ruling forces. This underscores a fundamental principle: in our liberation, in the self-emancipation of the people, the liberation of women, along with their principles and actions, is indispensable.

We have consistently held the belief that if the women of Kurdistan are afforded opportunities for freedom, consciousness, and organization, they can evolve into the greatest source of strength. Today, this conviction receives abundant validation from the courage and dedication exhibited in women’s self-sacrificing actions and mobilizing of uprisings, often surpassing that of men. The history of our party simultaneously mirrors the history of women’s liberation in Kurdistan. It also narrates the journey toward the most liberating society, flowing from the unbroken reality of women, a reality often manipulated. It is a history destined to reach its pinnacle through the women’s movement.

Women’s organizing in uprisings, the army, and all other social activities must undergo continuous development. We emphasize women’s vital role in participating with their innate strength and self-organization in this monumental, historical march toward freedom. We firmly believe that the power of women constitutes a formidable force for both organization and military power. When women become an army, it will be an army with the capacity to independently triumph over the enemy. We do not underestimate this reality; rather, we assert that it is as intrinsic to us as our unwavering belief in it.

Becoming the women’s army is synonymous with becoming the people’s army of Kurdistan. The women who have evolved into an army embody the rebellious spirit of the people of Kurdistan. These rebellious people of Kurdistan are the guerrillas who have attained victory. Above all, the liberated woman signifies the liberated Kurdistan.

Abdullah Öcalan, 4 March 1992