We are all YPJ!

International mobilisation for Women's Defence Units in Rojava

Since the 29 January agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Transitional Government, physical violence has shifted to the political arena, a space where women have been prevented from participating for most of recorded history. Although for over a decade, women in North and East Syria have worked to build a system that would include them in all aspects of public life, their achievements are now being threatened by the interests of states ruled by patriarchal men. In response to the growing threat, the Joint Platform of Women's Movements and Organisations has launched a series of campaigns to protect their rights and to give visibility to their accomplishments.

Women defend the Women’s Protection Units

On 26 April, at the 12 March Stadium in Qamishli, the Joint Platform of Women's Movements and Organisations of Rojava and Syria announced a campaign in support of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) under the slogan “We are all YPJ! Self-defence is our natural right.”

Many groups, organisers, activists, intellectuals, and allies gathered for the event, chanting slogans in favour of all-female armed forces and waving Kongra Star flags. Reflecting the Autonomous Administration’s commitment to regional diversity, the Platform delivered a statement in Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac, calling for the YPJ’s official recognition as a regular armed force within the Syrian Ministry of Defence and stressing the need to protect women’s rights.

“Over the past few years, the YPJ have been one of the most prominent forces in the fight against terrorism, setting an exceptional example in defending humanity, dignity and freedom,” read the statement, highlighting the heavy price that the female fighters in these units have paid in their efforts to protect Syrian society and humanity as a whole.

The Joint Platform called on all women’s movements and organisations, democratic forces, and the public in Kurdistan and worldwide to support its campaign and stand with the YPJ. Soon after the official announcement, more groups followed the call.

The Global Support

In Rojava, Young Internationalist Women joined the online mobilisation. “Today, the YPJ declares its commitment to securing the future of a democratic and free Syria and the defence of women,” a member said in a video posted on Instagram, urging all democratic forces to do the same. TAJÊ, the Yazidi women's freedom movement in North and East Syria, declared its deep solidarity with the YPJ. The Organization for Women’s Self-Reliance announced its full support for the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). On 6 May, hundreds took to the streets of Qamishli to demonstrate for the integration of the YPJ into the Syrian army, women’s rights and democracy.

Women Defend Rojava (WDR) launched a campaign a week earlier in defence of women’s achievements in the region, including political participation, education for social and cultural equality, and a model of self-organisation that promotes democratic and ecological life. Since 21 April, they have been releasing articles and videos on social media and online, explaining the system built over a decade and demonstrating its importance. “Since the start of the war of aggression on January 6, women and their institutions have been systematically attacked, led by the Syrian Transitional Government and the Turkish state,” they state, and urge others to join the call.

Women from all over the world, including Poland, Catalonia and Italy, joined the campaign as groups and individuals, translating resources, creating networks and making solidarity actions. In Belgium, women from Brussels connected the workers' struggles of May 1st with the women's liberation struggle in Rojava and around the world, and sent their support to the Women’s Protection Units. An Italian collective of several groups created a solidarity statement with the action, waving the Units’ flags and holding a banner “We are all YPJ”, while others recorded a song. Women from China expressed their solidarity with a powerful video created by Mistana, using the background music titled “War Fox”, composed in 2015 by YuLi, which was originally written to support YPJ.

On their website, the WDR campaign that coordinates international resistance in solidarity with the revolution lists many actions and steps that can be taken to support the “We are all YPJ” call, such as screening films, educating about the importance of Rojava, sending solidarity videos, and participating in online events.

“YPJ is our existence, our will and our representation!” chanted a girl from Southern Kurdistan in a compilation video of Kongra Star members supporting the all-female forces. Since their creation, the Women’s Protection Units have been more than a military force– they have become a symbol of women’s true potential, sacrifice and hope. Their dedication to protecting the most vulnerable members of society and their will to change the oppressive system have inspired millions around the globe.

“Our work is not only this,” said Emîne Osê, a spokesperson for the Committee for Democratic Relations and Alliances of Kongra Star, when asked by Lêgerîn about the campaign, meaning all the activities carried out so far. “In the future, there will also be exhibitions, theatre, meetings, and stories about resistance and their years of struggle.” She added that they hope other groups, foreign organisations, influential individuals, academics, and journalists will approach this process responsibly, as this is a democratic and ethical issue– it is the struggle of thousands of women who, over fourteen years, through great sacrifice, have influenced social awareness, actively participated in the protection of their region, and fought against all forms of inhumane attacks.

We join the call: we are all YPJ!

We, the Internationalist Youth Magazine Legerin, join the campaign in defence of the YPJ. The Legerin Magazine was born as a result of the Rojava revolution, out of the spirit and action of courageous comrades who made it possible. We took our name to honour Alina Sanchez, a young Argentine internationalist, who joined the YPJ during the struggle against ISIS, taking the name Lêgerîn Çîya, "In search of the mountains". She worked as a doctor in Rojava until she was martyred in a car accident in March 2018. We all share the task of building connections and solidarity among women around the world, inspired by Alina and many others like her. We join the campaign to defend the women who are fighting for us all. We can all protect and support each other, struggle together, and influence each other. The struggle of the YPJ is our struggle.

#WeAreAllYPJ