Women in Kurdistan

Women have long held a vital place in Kurdish society, shaping its culture and politics in ways that challenge traditional norms. In Kurdistan, women are not only participants but leaders in movements that seek justice, equality, and freedom. Their role goes beyond symbolic representation; Kurdish women actively influence political decisions, defend their communities, and inspire social change. This post explores the powerful impact of key Kurdish women’s movements and figures, including the Women’s Protection Units (YPG), Jina Amini, Leyla Qassim, and Leyla Zana, highlighting how they have transformed both culture and politics in the region.

The Women’s Protection Units (YPG)

The YPJ, or Women’s Protection Units, is an all-female fighting force established in response to the rise of ISIS and its threat to Kurdish regions in Syria. Formed as part of the broader Kurdish resistance, the YPJ quickly grew into a powerful military and symbolic force, reaching an estimated 25,000 fighters at the height of the war against ISIS. Operating alongside the YPG (People’s Protection Units) under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the YPJ played a crucial role in frontline battles, earning international recognition for their bravery and effectiveness.

The YPJ’s origins and ideology are closely tied to the PKK, which from its founding emphasized a strong feminist philosophy aimed at dismantling entrenched gender roles that traditionally relegated women to subordinate positions. Within the YPJ, women not only took up arms but also became leaders, embodying ideals of equality, empowerment, and resistance. Their presence in the struggle against ISIS symbolized both the fight

for Kurdish self-determination and a broader social revolution challenging patriarchal norms in the Middle East. As such, the YPJ stands as both a military force and a transformative movement for women’s rights in Kurdish society and beyond.

Jina Amini and the Fight Against Oppression

On September 16, 2022, 22-year-old Jina Amini was arrested in Tehran by Iran’s Guidance Patrol, commonly known as the morality police, for allegedly not wearing the mandatory hijab properly. While in custody, she was severely beaten, leading to her death shortly afterward. Iranian state media attempted to downplay the incident, claiming she had suffered a heart attack, but her family and eyewitnesses reported clear evidence of brutality. Jina’s death ignited massive protests that began in Kurdish cities and quickly spread throughout Iran, uniting people across ethnic, gender, and social lines in defiance of state repression. She became the symbol of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, Jin, Jiyan, Azadi in Kurdish, which demanded not only justice for her death but also broader freedoms, women’s rights, and the end of authoritarian rule. The movement resonated globally, drawing widespread support from world leaders, activists, and human rights organizations, making Jina Amini a lasting icon of resistance and hope.

Leyla Qassim’s Legacy of Resistance

Leyla Qassim was a Kurdish activist and freedom fighter in Iraq during the 1960s and 1970s, remembered as a symbol of resistance against the Ba’athist regime. Following the overthrow of Abdulrahman Arif’s government and the rise of the Ba’ath Party, she became deeply involved in exposing and documenting the party’s atrocities and its systematic violations of Kurdish natural and human rights. In the early 1970s, Qassim joined the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), dedicating herself to the Kurdish nationalist cause. Her activism soon drew the ire of the regime, and in 1974 she was arrested, brutally tortured, and falsely accused of plotting to assassinate Saddam Hussein. Just two weeks later, on May 12, she was executed by hanging in Baghdad, her death broadcast on Iraqi state television in an effort to intimidate others. Leyla Qassim was the first woman executed by Iraq’s Ba’ath Party, and her martyrdom turned her into a powerful symbol of courage, sacrifice, and the Kurdish struggle for freedom.

Leyla Zana’s Political Influence

Leyla Zana is the first female Kurdish politician to be elected to Turkey’s parliament. Following the arrest of her husband Mehdi Zana who was imprisoned for publishing poetry in Kurdish language, Leyla was arrested for taking part in a rally against torture. She continued her activism on behalf of the rights of the Kurdish population and was elected to the parliament in 1991.

She sparked outrage throughout Turkey when she took her oath and spoke in her native Kurdish tongue which was illegal in Turkey. "I take this oath for the brotherhood between the Turkish people and the Kurdish people." She became a hero throughout Kurdistan for her brave actions and was marked as a separatist by chauvinist Turks. In 1994, Leyla Zana was arrested under false charges of being a member of the PKK and for wearing a red, yellow, and green scarf (the colors of the Kurdistan flag). She remained in prison until 2004. In 2008, she was again arrested and sentenced to ten years for “spreading terrorist propaganda" for saying in an interview that Kurds have three leaders, Masoud Barzani, Jalal Talabani, and Abdullah Ocalan. Leyla Zana has received numerous awards from human rights organizations including the Sakharov Award and Rafto Award.

The Broader Impact of Kurdish Women’s Movements

The efforts of the YPG, Jina Amini’s legacy, Leyla Qassim’s resistance, and Leyla Zana’s political activism collectively illustrate how Kurdish women are transforming their society. These movements have:

• Increased women’s visibility in leadership roles

• Challenged patriarchal norms and gender-based violence

• Inspired legal reforms and international attention to Kurdish issues

• Strengthened community resilience through education and empowerment

  
  

Kurdish women’s activism also influences cultural expressions such as literature, music, and art, reflecting their experiences and aspirations. Their stories encourage dialogue about gender equality and human rights in the Middle East and beyond.