At exactly 10:00 a.m. yesterday, a delegation from the Jineology (Women’s Science) Academy in the Middle East—comprising women from several countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen)—delivered a message of support and solidarity, with deep appreciation and respect, for the campaign announced by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) on April 26. During the visit, the academy emphasized that this message embodies the transnational unity of women’s struggle.
On this occasion, the General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) issued the following written statement:
To all voices and messages that have expressed their support and appreciation for women’s struggle against extremism:
We express our profound gratitude for every sincere word of solidarity that has accompanied our journey, and for every stance that has recognized the depth of the experience we have undergone in defending humanity, land, and dignity.
Our experience in the Women’s Protection Units has not been a conventional choice; rather, it has been a response to a harsh reality imposed by difficult circumstances, in which women found themselves compelled to stand at the heart of the defense equation, not at its margins. We have carried this responsibility to protect life and our communities’ right to exist freely and safely, in the face of forces that sought to strip human beings of their humanity and identity.
We affirm that our struggle has never been for war; rather, it has always been—and will continue to be—for the protection of life and for opening the path toward a just peace. The weapon we carried was a last resort, but our ultimate goal is to build a democratic society founded on equality and justice, in which women are full partners in decision-making. We firmly believe that all peoples, regardless of their ethnicity or culture, are equal in dignity and rights, and that diversity is not a threat but a human value that enriches societies and strengthens their unity. Without respecting and protecting this diversity, no genuine peace project can succeed.
We also stress the necessity of safeguarding freedom of belief and the dignity of religions without discrimination or exclusion. Coexistence among different religions is the foundation of social stability, and any violation of this principle constitutes an assault on all humanity. We strive for a future in which all beliefs are respected and in which individuals are treated according to their humanity, not their affiliations.
We regard every message of support as a continuation of this struggle, and we believe that the strength of women lies not only in their ability to confront challenges, but also in their capacity to rebuild society and break cycles of violence. With regard to the future of our role, we emphasize that any step toward stability must ensure recognition of our experience, preserve the achievements made possible through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, and guarantee the effective participation of women in all institutions of defense and decision-making, within a framework that ensures justice and safeguards the dignity of all.
We continue our struggle—not for war, but to end it; not for power in itself, but for a free and safe life for all peoples.
Glory to freedom… Glory to women… Peace to our peoples.
General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)
28-04-2026
