After the Fall PodcastUpdates about the situation facing the #YPJ
"The transitional government proposes that female YPJ fighters could join the Asayîş internal security forces – comparable to the police. Newroz Ahmed comments that these are two distinct areas of work. Of course, women should also be able to join the Asayîş, and indeed they already do so. However, there are currently major problems there too with the organised participation of women in the work of the Asayîş. Nevertheless, Newroz Ahmed states that the participation of women solely within the ranks of the Asayîş is not acceptable. The integration of women into the army in the form of the YPJ is therefore important, as this ensures the organisation of women in the military sphere.
Newroz Ahmed draws parallels with other state armies, in which women participate actively but only individually. The problems women face affect them as a group and not as individuals. A response to, and solution for, these problems must therefore be in an organised way. Specifically, this means that women are organised into their own battalions or groups, that they have their own female command structure, and their own female contact persons within the Ministry of Defence. The organisation of women must be implemented at all levels so that their own will and their own decisions are represented."
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"Emîne Osê believes that Syria is currently – driven by the transitional government – moving towards a situation comparable to that in Afghanistan: an Islamist system based on hostility towards democracy, women and minorities. Already, women’s organisations are unable to operate in the areas annexed by government forces in January. Staff members of the women’s organisation Zenobia, for example, are forced to go into hiding because they are being targeted by government forces. The women want to continue their work, but the danger is too great. Staff members of Kongra Star are maintaining contact, but are unable to travel to support women in other areas due to the security situation."
“This mentality can be changed. We're not obliged to accept it in this form.” - Women Defend Rojava
The Women’s Self-Defence Units (YPJ) are currently negotiating with the Syrian transitional government regarding their continued existence as an autonomous women’s army. Following several weeks of war waged by the Syrian transitional government against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, a ceasefire agreement was signed on 29 January this year, which stipulated the integration of the military alliance known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian …