“With this conference, we are laying the foundation for a new history—the history of the unity of the Kurdish people, led by the vanguard of Kurdish women. Just as women in Rojava have been at the forefront in all fields, they are also leading the way in building a democratic Syria.” — Perwîn Yûsif (PYD)
On March 23, 2025, in Qamishlo, under the slogan “With the vanguard of women, Kurdish national unity becomes a certainty,” the first National Conference for the Unity of Kurdish Women in Rojava was held. The event brought together 300 delegates, including artists, intellectuals, writers, political party members, journalists, and representatives of women’s organizations and movements, as well as institutions affiliated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Women from Aleppo and Damascus also took part. This conference marks a crucial step toward building a democratic, peaceful Syria and greater unity among Kurdish communities and individuals. In a time of rapid and profound change, gatherings like this have tangible and immediate impacts.
“As Kurdish women, we have lived on this land for thousands of years. We know that if people are led with a sexist, fundamentalist, nationalist, and rationalist mindset, they will not find just solutions to problems, nor will they put an end to contradictions and wars.” — from conference documents
Although the Assad regime has fallen, the government that has taken power in Damascus remains highly centralized and continues to target minorities, committing atrocities such as the recent massacres against the Alawites. The newly approved constitution fails to recognize the rights of the country’s diverse ethnic groups—their languages, cultures, and traditions—as well as the rights of women. In a multicultural, multiethnic, and multifaith Syria, such a government cannot endure. In this context, the experience of North and East Syria stands as a model for a system that could be implemented throughout the country. The social contract, autonomous administration, and the system of communes and councils, along with the self-organization of women and their leading role in both society and self-defense, represent practices that could be expanded across Syria. Defending the democratic nation project in North and East Syria has come at a high cost—thousands of martyrs and immense sacrifices. Yet today, spreading the Rojava democratic system throughout Syria is essential to bringing peace, democracy, and justice to a land devastated by war and violence. This must be a priority.
“Outside of organizing collective work, we have no other means—as a people and as a society—to defend our rights and the achievements of this revolution, which has come at the cost of thousands of martyrs. We have no alternative but to build alliances and foster unity.” — from conference documents
The gains achieved today by Kurdish women are the result of a long history of struggle and resistance. They are the legacy of Leyla Qasim, Sakine Cansız, Arîn Mîrxan, and all those who have given everything for this cause. Thanks to this history, the Kurdish people have affirmed their existence and identity, and today, no plan for the Middle East can ignore them. To ensure that the sacrifices made so far are not in vain, it is essential to maintain a strong and united stance, “resisting the divide and conquer tactics of external forces”. Through this conference, as well as by other means, women in Rojava are proving to be a driving force and a vanguard for democracy and peace.
This unity must be built on clear principles, eleven of which were outlined during the conference; here is a brief summary. The importance of Kurdish culture and language in shaping the identity of Kurdish women was reaffirmed—historically, it has been mothers who have played a central role in their preservation. Culture and language must be protected as fundamental aspects of Kurdish women’s identity. At the same time, the need to safeguard the diverse national identities, religious beliefs, and cultures present in Kurdistan was emphasized. The democratic nation was reaffirmed as the best framework for ensuring this protection. It was declared that it is the responsibility of all women to uphold the values of freedom and equality, advance democratic policies, and build a society based on free and equal will. For this reason, women’s participation in all areas must not be less than 50%. Education was highlighted as essential for creating a just and equal society, and Jineolojî was recognized as the science of women, standing in opposition to the patriarchal and capitalist system and the sciences that reinforce it. The principles of “free collective life” (hevjiyana azad) provide a framework for resolving issues between men and women, within families, and across society as a whole. These principles also serve as a means to end all forms of violence against
women. At the same time, strengthening national unity is seen as a key tool for countering the violent policies of states against the Kurdish people, which have led to forced migrations and massacres. The suffering of Kurdish women reflects the struggles faced by women worldwide, underscoring the need for a relentless fight in defense of women’s rights. Demographic changes imposed on Kurdish society constitute an act of violence against the entire population—first and foremost against women. The occupations of Afrin, Shehba, Serekaniye, and Girê Spî serve as painful examples that will never be forgotten. This is also why national unity remains a necessity. Since every living being has the right and duty to self-defense, the YPJ, which defended humanity against the terrorism of ISIS, must be recognized as a force for legitimate self-defense for all women and as a direct outcome of the Rojava revolution. Those who gave their lives in defense of Rojava must be honored as martyrs of the Syrian revolution. It is our duty to realize the vision they fought for, and to achieve this, we must build a democratic Syria. To establish an alternative economic system to capitalist monopoly, it is essential to develop and promote women’s economic initiatives, which will serve as the foundation for a communal economy—a core characteristic of democratic society. Women’s diplomacy plays a vital role in achieving Kurdish national unity. A shared vision and a coordinated diplomatic approach are necessary—both to prevent external forces from fragmenting the Kurdish people and to build alliances with women around the world. For a people divided across four states, fragmentation leads to weakness, making every step toward national unity strategically significant. At the same time, the struggle of Kurdish women is becoming a source of hope and strength for women’s movements globally—proving once again that in this process, unity brings strength. Based on these principles, a final resolution was approved, reflecting the positions of all the participating forces. The key points are as follows:
- The conference calls on all Kurdish forces, organizations, parties, and political figures to urgently convene the Kurdistan National Congress—a long-standing aspiration of all Kurdish communities and women—at this critical moment as we approach freedom.
- The conference urges women’s organizations from all four parts of Kurdistan to convene the 3rd National Congress of Kurdish Women and invites them to hold this congress in Rojava.
- Recognizing the historical importance of Kurdish unity in Syria, the conference calls on all relevant Kurdish political forces to convene a National Congress of Kurdish forces in Syria, ensuring that Kurdish women play a leading and active role in shaping the country’s future.
- The conference rejects the interim constitution of Damascus and calls on the interim government to align with UN Security Council International Resolution 2254, which reflects the broader demands of society and women.
- Building a democratic, decentralized, and pluralistic Syria is both the primary goal of all Syrian communities and the key to guaranteeing women’s rights. The conference affirms that the Democratic Autonomous Administration project is the most effective model for resolving Syria’s conflicts and challenges.
- The conference emphasizes that women must hold at least 50% representation in all the discussions for building a democratic Syria.
- The women’s rights provisions outlined in the Social Contract of North and East Syria should serve as a foundation for the new Syrian constitution.
- The conference calls for collaboration among all women across Syria’s diverse communities and the formation of democratic alliances to protect women’s rights and enshrine them in the new Syrian constitution.
- The right to legitimate self-defense is both a duty and a fundamental right for all women.
- Kurdish women, through their organizations, must take a leading role in the fight against all forms of violence and feminicide in Syria. They must also provide support, share experiences, and offer assistance to women across Syria, drawing on the experiences of women in North and East Syria.
- The conference underscores the importance of education and capacity-building for women in all fields, including politics, economics, and administration.
- The conference calls for comprehensive efforts to ensure that all refugees from Afrin, Girê Spî, Serêkaniyê, Shehba, and other occupied regions can safely and voluntarily return to their homes. Furthermore, all victims of occupation and human rights violations must receive fair compensation.
The First National Conference of Kurdish Women in Rojava marked a historic step toward unity, democracy, and women’s liberation in the struggle for a free and democratic Syria. By fostering unity among the Kurdish people, recognizing women’s rights and strength, and combining these with the principles of the democratic nation, the conference laid the groundwork for broader alliances and resistance in the pursuit of peace and democracy.
