Our sisters in Rojava have sent this guidance that discusses the implications of patriarchy worldwide and the importance of self-defence (in its widest terms – e.g. self-organising as a means of defence) is essential if we are going to defeat the patriarchy and end male violence.

Recently we have seen increasing violence against women and rising cases of femicide. At the same time, we can also observe the growing resistance to this patriarchal violence.

We as Kongra Star, women's movement in Rojava, are following this increasing systematic violence, but also the organisation of resistance against it. Be it the struggle of women in Chile against the neo-liberal politics of the government or the Bosnian women demanding justice against the femicide during the Bosnian war. It is the Afghan women who fight against fundamentalism and for their rights. And it is the Kurdish women who fight against occupation.

Against this increasing patriarchal mentality and violence, self-defence is necessary.

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