The Movement of Women in Kurdistan

Resolution of Komala’s 9^th Congress, July 2001

The oppression of women has been going on for a long time in Kurdistan.  Both officially and concealed the oppression finds it’s ways.  In spite of the fact that some countries claim that there is no oppression of women in their countries, it has been proved that this is still happening.

In the world today the oppression of women is more visible.  Equality between men and women in everyday life, society, economics, politics and in family relations have become a matter of course in every feminist movement.

In the debates of society and in the everyday fight for the liberation of women buildt upon consciousness and knowledge, has focused on the way discrimination and unjust treatment is going on.  Freedom fighters and feminists have changed bad cultural habits and oppression of women in several countries and areas. 

The Islamic cleric government has ruled Iran for well over 23 years, and consists of reactionary powers which work against human equality and technological development.

The Islamic system in Iran treats women as inferior human beings.  If a woman testifies in court, her testimony counts half as much as a man’s testimony.

The woman is made economically dependent of the man, and has no right to control her own income.  Women are discriminated when it comes to economical affairs, for instance wages.

According to laws and rules women have lower status in society and in the family.  In the family it is the women who have the responsibility for both house work and the upbringing of the children.

The cleric government of Iran consists of two parts:  The fanatic conservative and the reformative.  Even if the reformative have loosened a little on the rules and prohibitions, the main rule still applies that the man governs the woman.

When one of the parts says that something is prohibited and the other says that the same thing is allowed, they have tried to make confusion in the fight for liberation of women.

In spite of brutal forms of oppression, the fight for liberation of women continues both inside Iran and abroad.  This fight stands strong in society.  It criticizes the social conditions and demands changes in laws and rules.  Women have as a result of this obtained great progress in cultural, artistic and literary activities, and also in education.

There has been much unjust treatment, oppression and military occupation in Kurdistan, but in spite of that, the feminist political pressure continues.  Along with the fact that women in Kurdistan have participated in the liberation fight, together with all other women in Iran, they have also taken part in the revolutionary fight for freedom against the Islamic regime.

One drawback has been that because of the contrasts between Kurdistan and the rest of Iran, and also inwards in Kurdistan (cities and countryside), women have not been able to participate fully in the fight to show their strength.

Earlier the military national freedom fight was dominated by men.  There were no parties or organizations which supported the fight of women.

Komala, as the Kurdish revolutionary emancipation party, has raised the flag for democratic rights and equality of status.  During the last 20 years Komala has fought for equality and liberation from sex apartheid.

Komala has had a large role in the development of the political consciousness of women, in making them know their rights and alternatives of organizations.

There ar two main tasks.  One is the oppression that goes on in everyday life, that prevents women to participate actively in society.  The other is to fight the male dominated way of thinking which states that: “Because I am a man, I have greater value than you”.

It was Komala that for the first time in Kurdish history organized women as Peshmarge (guerilla soldiers).  Female Peshmarge and their struggle is a part of Komala’s history.  Though Komala had a program for women’s liberation fight, it was little power behind it’s points of view during the last years before Komala resigned from the communist party of Iran.  This because Komala’s influence in the communist party was small, and the women participated in the organizations without being able to have leading positions.

In light of what was presented at the 9^th Congress of Komala, the Central Board asks all the comrades of Komala to support the fight for liberation of women, and the independent movement of women.  The fight for liberation has not been given priority for several years, but now it must be escalated by the women themselves to lead the fight.

The fight shall be independent, not dominated by men as earlier.

The Congress discussed the founding of organizations and organs which can be used to lead the women’s liberation fight.  These shall put the conditions right so that the women can lead and organize the struggle themselves.

We ask all the female supporters of Komala to be female pioneers, to lead the fight and to influence the struggle for equality of status.

The Congress states that tragic events like killing for honour and suicide influenced by social pressure are parts of the oppression of women and has to cease.  We ask everyone to fight against conditions which creates such tragic events.

We have to influence and inform the opinion to fight these conditions.