Jette Fernández, a member of the Farmers’ Union, along with activists and journalists Molly Wallace, Amy Gardiner, and Heather Sweeney, visited the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
The delegation was received by the General Commander of the Women’s Protection Units, Rojhilat Afrin, the Military Council of YPJ, Samira Ahmed, the External Relations Member of YPJ, Lana Hussein, and the Head of the Syrian Women’s Protection Office, Noor Suryan. The commander discussed political developments in Syria and the region, the situation of women, and the challenges related to their future. The activists also posed questions to the YPJ commander regarding the struggles and experiences of the Women’s Protection Units.
At the beginning of the meeting, the General Commander of YPJ, Rojhilat Afrin, welcomed the delegation and spoke about the history of women’s struggles, spanning from Clara Zetkin and Joan of Arc to the present day. She linked the historical struggle for women’s liberation with the fight led by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), stating: “Throughout history, many movements and struggles have been led by prominent women for their rights. We cannot separate today’s struggle of YPJ from the struggles of women across the world. In recent years, YPJ has brought about tangible changes in Northeast Syrian society, particularly in achieving freedom and breaking patriarchal mentalities. The role of women in military units has especially strengthened the Autonomous Administration project. Recently, with the collapse of the Ba’athist regime, it has become clear that the self-administration model is the most viable solution for the region, where women play a crucial role. Their role is not limited to the frontlines of battle; they also contribute to building and leading society, shouldering great responsibilities. In short, when a society has strong faith in its defense forces, no external power can impose its will upon it. Today, the Women’s Protection Units have become the voice of the will of women and the people.”
With the collapse of the Ba’athist regime, the role of jihadists within the HTS organization has expanded, posing a serious threat to women. In this context, YPJ General Commander Rojhilat Afrin explained that jihadist activities continue to present challenges for the future of women, adding: “We are living in a time of change and transformation. There is no doubt that women have gained a significant position in this context, yet concerns remain about these achievements. Today, the government of Ahmad al-Sharaa represents this jihadist orientation, making it impossible for society to trust in a secure future. The clearest example of this is the so-called ‘Victory’ conference they held, where women were entirely absent—sending a clear message that they have no place in political governance. Additionally, the conference saw the presence of HTS elements, including Chechens, Uzbeks, and others, along with the murderer of the martyr Hevrin Khalaf, further exacerbating the threat posed by expanding jihadist groups. Other incidents, such as the imposition of black clothing on women at Aleppo University, constitute blatant violations of women’s rights. Even worse, this mindset is being imposed by women themselves in an attempt to legitimize these violations. In the face of such backward and regressive tendencies, women need to organize more than ever before. The state and its prevailing mentality do not, under any circumstances, accept women’s leadership. As the Women’s Protection Units, we will ensure that all the experiences we have gained through our years of struggle serve as a model for all women in Syria.”
At the end of the visit, the delegation presented YPJ with photographs of women fighters as a token of appreciation and gratitude. In return, the Women’s Protection Units gifted the delegation Koger scarves, which are recognized as a symbol of YPJ.
The delegation expressed their deep gratitude to the YPJ leadership and stated that they were very pleased with the visit. Additionally, extensive information was exchanged regarding the developments and events in the region, particularly concerning the situation of women from multiple perspectives.
YPJ Media Center
27.02.2025
