Axîn Maku, a member of the military council of Women Defence Forces (HPJ), stated that “we do not see any difference between The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic State. Both of these organizations oppress women and have a culture of hatred and violence; and if we have to use force to advance our interests as women, we will.”
Maku further stated that, “the objectives of the HPJ is to stop the wave of executions in Iran; to stop the oppression of women, the loss of culture, prostitution, slavery and injustice.”
Maku noted that, “the issues facing women in Iran has created a need for solving such gender problems. This is why the HPJ forces were formed in 2014.”
Maku, also known as the “The defender of women’s right”, added that, “If we are to achieve freedom as women, we must also participate in the fight. Previously, we were known as the Women Defence Forces of Eastern Kurdistan. However, recently, we have reformed this name as well as our objectives to The Defence of Women, because we recognize that as women we must stand up for each other, including all women in Iran. Women from Iran, Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan) and the other parts of Kurdistan have joined our ranks. The HPJ, therefore, is also a defender of women’s rights on a cross-national level.”
The Women’s Advocate
Axîn Maku stated that the HPJ troops are already in the mountains of Rojhelat, along with East Kurdistan Defence Units (YRK), and have organized themselves accordingly. She added, “almost all of our female military units have been established, but we still needed to expand it. We will continue to meet the needs of a country like Iran. Our prime objective is to expand in term of quantity and quality, and we pay much attention to this objective. This way we will be able to form a common front of women.”
Prevention of Death, Prostitution, Violence and Slavery
Maku also pointed to the importance of expanding the ranks of HPJ, by stating that expanding the ranks is meant to halt a wave of executions, the elimination of prostitution, slavery and injustice.
Maku stated that the resistance of YPJ in Kobanê, and the unrelenting struggle of guerrilla women YJA STAR in Şengal, has had enormous impact on the Iranian women. Maku added, “When women in Iran encounter attacks, for example when they are sprayed with acid they call for the women of Kobanê to come and free them. The impact of these women’s units have increased the confidence of women across the Middle East, and not are only limited to the geography of Kurdistan. They have also had a high impact on Iranian and Afghani women.”
HPJ Modern Force in Iran
Axîn Maku pointed out that Kurdish women have for decades been in the ranks of Kurdish organizations, such as the East Kurdistan Peshmerga; but the problem was that they did not organize themselves independently. Maku added, “currently, the only women in the mountains of Rojhelat are the HPJ. According to research, the Peshmerga have no women in Kurdish areas of Eastern Kurdistan, even if they are not active in military operations. HPJ, therefore, is a modern phenomenon.”
Women joining the HPJ
Maku argued that women of various ages have joined the ranks of the forces. And that, “many married women are joining. We will find a solution to the women of Rojhelat, such as those women who have been sentenced to prison in their homes and have no freedom at all within their families. We have seen women faced with violence, and who out of desperation they immediately think of harming themselves. But now most of these women come to the mountains. Any women who is familiar with us and finds us, should see hope and resolve for themselves.”
Source: Firat News Agency
Translated by Rojhelat.info
