Kurdish Women Movement: From girls’ group to democratic confederation

On February 27 of this year, leader Abdullah Ocalan, through a delegation from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, issued a historic declaration entitled “The Call for Peace and Democratic Society.” In this statement, he urged the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to convene its congress and formally dissolve itself. He stated:  “The second century of the Republic can only witness unity and continuity if it is crowned with democracy. There is no alternative path but to pursue and implement democratic systems. Democratic consensus is the fundamental approach. In this process, I call for an end to armed struggle and accept historical responsibility for this call.”

Following this call, discussions and evaluations were launched across Kurdistan and globally. On March 1, the PKK announced a ceasefire, held its 12th congress from May 5–7, and subsequently declared the dissolution of the party.

The Girls’ Group

In 1974, at the early stages of the PKK’s formation, women participated in the organizational, educational, and promotional efforts as revolutionary girls. Leader Abdullah Ocalan referred to them as the “Girls’ Group.” These activities took place primarily in Dersim, Elazig, Marash, Dilok, Gulek, Gumgum, Riha, the Serhad region, and Ankara.

November 26–27, 1978: The Founding of the PKK

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was officially founded during a congress held in the village of Fis, in the Lice district of Amed. Though 25 delegates were invited, only 22 attended. Among them, only two women participated in the founding congress—Sakine Cansız and Kesire Yildirim.

Following this, several prominent women—such as Sakine Karakoçan, Bese Anuş, Sultan Yavuz, Rahime Kahraman, Hanım Yaverkaya, Sakine Kirmizitoprak, and Saime Aşkan—continued the struggle for freedom alongside the PKK, organizing themselves socially, politically, and structurally.

Organizing Kurdish Women

During the PKK’s third congress, it was decided to organize an independent women’s structure. After initial preparations, the founding congress of the Union of Patriotic Kurdish Women (YJWK) was held in Hanover, Germany, between October 31 and November 1, 1987, with the participation of 80 delegates.

On November 1, 1993, under the guidance of leader Abdullah Ocalan, women’s forces began forming their own military units. As part of the transition to an independent military structure, women established their own military bases and began participating in armed operations independently.

March 1995: First Women’s Congress and the Founding of YAJK

On March 8, 1995, the first women’s congress was held in the Gulka area of Metina. During this congress, the Union of Free Women of Kurdistan (YAJK) was formally established, and the first women’s council was elected. With the founding of the women’s army in 1995, a significant milestone was reached, granting women valuable experience and momentum.

The formation of the council inspired great enthusiasm among women. YAJK redefined its activities and restructured itself directly in line with leader Abdullah Ocalan’s philosophy and ideology, giving rise to a clear ideological and organizational identity for women.

Leader Ocalan laid down the foundational principles for the Union of Free Women of Kurdistan—namely patriotism, struggle, organization, and resistance. The YAJK evolved from the experiences of women in militarization and played a vital role in solidifying the identity of the Kurdish women's movement.

Ideology of Women’s Liberation

from the Flames of Resistance to the Democratic Women’s Confederation

On March 8, 1998, leader Abdullah Ocalan officially announced the Ideology of Women’s Liberation in a televised address on Med TV. Days later, on March 21, 1998, the great revolutionary and activist Sema Yüce carried out a powerful act of protest while imprisoned in the Çanakkale prison. In defiance of the genocidal policies targeting the Kurdish people, she set herself on fire, declaring: “I want to make my body a bridge of fire from March 8 to March 21,”

She later succumbed to her injuries and was martyred on June 17, 1998.

Leader Abdullah Ocalan formulated the ideology of women’s liberation as a foundation for a new model of social revolution led by women. On March 8, 1998, he outlined its core principles: patriotism, intellect, free will, organization, struggle, ethics, and beauty. These principles aimed at liberating women, transforming men, and reshaping society.

Women and Political Organization

On the basis of this ideology, the Kurdish Working Women’s Party (PJKK) was established between March 1 and 12, 1999. It was the first political party founded by Kurdish women and marked the beginning of a new perspective in confronting patriarchal civilization and its systemic practices.

During its third congress held from July 29 to August 21, 2000, the party changed its name to the Free Women’s Party (PJA). This transformation coincided with the founding of women's academies—particularly the Zeynep Kınacı Academy—to deepen and institutionalize the ideological development of women's power and liberation.

Leader Ocalan, analyzing historical developments, centralized state civilization, and the ongoing crises and disorder, emphasized that European democracy did not emerge from such chaos. Thus, he called for the creation of a new democratic civilization and highlighted that this could be realized in the Middle East by resolving the Kurdish issue within the framework of “A Free Kurdistan – A Democratic Middle East.”

The Leading Ideological Force

In 2004, the party was renamed once again as the Kurdistan Women’s Freedom Party (PAJK). Leader Abdullah Ocalan described PAJK as a necessary force that produces ideological and philosophical content and trains its cadres accordingly, stating: “The existence of a party that educates and organizes around this ideology is essential for the women's freedom struggle.”

He defined its members as women who possess nothing but freedom and a free life, adding: “Wherever free women exist and develop their personalities, a free society emerges.”

Thus, he firmly established the principle: “The freedom of society is achieved through the freedom of women.”

Establishment of the Women’s Confederation

On April 20, 2005, the Women’s Confederation Organization was established under the umbrella of the High Women’s Assembly (KJB). This body brought together women’s organizations from across Kurdistan and the diaspora. Within the KJB’s confederal structure:

PAJK operates as the ideological body,

Free Women’s Units (YJA) serve as the mass organizing front,

Free Women’s Units – Star (YJA-Star) and young women's organizations function in the sphere of legitimate self-defense.

From September 15 to 22, 2008, PAJK held its party congress under the slogan:

“The Freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan is the Freedom of Women.”

This congress produced a powerful resolution linking the liberation of women with the liberation of Öcalan and emphasized the ideological dimensions of the women’s freedom struggle, culminating in key strategic decisions.

Aiming to Reach All Women of the World

In 2014, the Kurdish Women’s System (KJK) was established as a concrete expression of the existing women’s organizational framework, with the aim of building a democratic confederal organization of women across Kurdistan.

Through the drafting of a Women’s Social Contract, KJK undertook efforts to build women’s organizations based on clear standards. Central to its struggle was the transformation of dominant mentalities and the dissemination of the Ideology of Women’s Liberation into the social fabric.

KJK views itself as responsible for leading and implementing a strategy of democratic national unity rooted in democratic confederalism for women—a vision that places self-organization and social democratization at the core of its mission.

a.k

ANHA