A delegation of intellectual and political women from Italy visited the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), where they met with YPJ leaders. During the meeting, they discussed issues of great importance in the current phase, in addition to addressing the role of women in building a new Syria and the importance of joint struggle for women on a global level.
The Italian women’s delegation consisted of the academic researcher and political activist Roberta Ferrari, journalist Anna Irma Patino, university professor specializing in research on social movements Federica Gardini, and architect and member of the anti-militarist social movement Virginia. The delegation was received by the General Commander of the Women’s Protection Units Rohlat Afrin, the Women’s Council Leader of the Khabour Assyrian Defense Forces Hewi Dakhabor, members of the Military Council of the Women’s Protection Units Destina Halab and Sama Hasaka, and the spokesperson for the Women’s Protection Units Roxan Mohammed.
The delegation was first welcomed by the YPJ leader Rohlat Afrin, who then addressed the questions raised by the delegation regarding the Women’s Protection Units. The General Commander of the YPJ, Rohlat Afrin, responded to these questions comprehensively, stating: “Wherever society is divided, there is no freedom, equality, or democracy. Thus, there is a pressing need for defense and protection. This principle has existed in human society since the beginning of natural society and will endure forever. Just as a flower protects itself with its thorns, so too does a woman defend and protect herself through her principles.”
The meeting also touched upon the current situation in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the ongoing attacks by the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries. In her evaluation, Rohlat Afrin stressed that Turkish attacks aim to destroy the democratic system in northeastern Syria, and as is evident in their democratic system, women are particularly targeted by these attacks.
Rohlat Afrin added: “The resistance led by the Women’s Protection Units fighters in Tishreen Dam, Qara Qozak Bridge, and Deir Hafir is one of the most significant historical epics of the YPJ. The fighters’ resistance inspires strength and determination in all the region’s peoples, and for women’s struggle, it becomes a source of great power and will. Today, the people of the region, with the spirit of the revolutionary people’s war, head toward the martyrs’ dam and the resistance of Tishreen Dam, which illustrates the victory of the democratic nation project.”
The General Commander of the YPJ, Rohlat Afrin, highlighted the importance of solidarity and unity among peoples, as well as the necessity of global women’s solidarity, stating: “Ensuring the unity of the region’s peoples delivers a powerful blow to the occupying forces. The unity of women delivers the ultimate blow to the oppressive and patriarchal system.”
In evaluating the significance of organizing a defense system, Rohlat Afrin remarked: “We are ready to organize women and develop every woman wherever she may be because no woman should remain unorganized or unable to defend herself against patriarchal attitudes. To protect and sustain women’s achievements in the new Syria, we must commit to continuous hard work.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation expressed their happiness with the encounter with the Women’s Protection Units and emphasized the need to continue dialogue and joint work.
YPJ Media Center
11.02.2025
