{"id":19483,"date":"2021-08-30T21:33:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T21:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/?p=19483"},"modified":"2022-03-18T17:22:44","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T17:22:44","slug":"afghan-and-kurdish-women-revolutionaries-urge-joined-up-global-resistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/08\/30\/afghan-and-kurdish-women-revolutionaries-urge-joined-up-global-resistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Afghan and Kurdish women revolutionaries urge joined up global resistance"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following \u00a0article outlining the links being made between the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan and the Kurdish Confederation of Women’s Organisations in the aftermath of the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban was first posted on The Canary<\/em> website.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFGHAN AND KURDISH WOMEN REVOLUTIONARIES URGE JOINED-UP GLOBAL RESISTANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Following misogynistic Donald Trump\u2019s 2020 sell-out deal<\/a> with the equally misogynistic Taliban, the big powers have helped restore fundamentalist rule in Afghanistan<\/a>. \u00a0That deal included a guarantee by the Taliban to ensure that no group or individual violates the security of the US or its allies within Afghanistan. \u00a0However, the bombing<\/a> at Kabul airport by IS-Khorasan<\/a> (IS-K), which tragically saw at least 169 Afghans killed and many more wounded, put an end to that provision. \u00a0It was the latest humiliation for the retreating US and its allies.<\/p>\n

But Afghan women revolutionaries have come out fighting. \u00a0And they\u2019re calling for international solidarity and resistance against the Taliban<\/a> and IS-K. \u00a0And their Kurdish sisters, with their vast experience of combatting<\/a> Daesh<\/a> (ISIS\/ISIL) and its Turkish backers<\/a>, have issued<\/a> a similar call.<\/p>\n

Defiance<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a statement issued on 20 August, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) \u2013 first founded<\/a> in 1977 \u2013declared<\/a> that:<\/p>\n

Women will not be shackled any more! \u00a0Just the next morning after the Taliban entered the capital, a group of our young brave women painted graffiti on the walls of Kabul with the slogan: Down with Taliban! \u00a0Our women are now politically conscious and no longer want to live under the Burqa, something they easily did 20 years ago. \u00a0We will continue our struggles while finding smart ways to stay safe.<\/em><\/p>\n

Two days earlier the YPJ<\/a> Kurdish Women\u2019s Protection Units) General Command also issued a statement, saying<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Just as we as YPJ have resisted IS and the Turkish occupiers and their gangs with the organized force of women, strengthened and increased our army, Afghan women too can become a force for freedom with their strength and organization.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kurdish women call for solidarity<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 16 August Komal\u00ean Jin\u00ean Kurdistan<\/a> (KJK) \u2013 a confederation of women\u2019s organisations \u2013 issued<\/a> a statement of solidarity with the women of Afghanistan. Referring to Turkey\u2019s war on the Kurds, the KJK commented on how the US and its allies simply cannot be trusted.<\/p>\n

Those who handed over Afghanistan to the Taliban today and those who occupied Afrin, Ser\u00eakaniy\u00ea, Gir\u00ea Sp\u00ee to the Turkish Republic yesterday are the same powers. Those who gave the green light to the Turkish invasion of Rojava and North East Syria yesterday, repeat the same scenario in Afghanistan today.<\/em><\/p>\n

This was proven yet again when US forces shot<\/a> civilians dead following the Kabul airport bomb blast.<\/p>\n

KJK\u2019s statement also referred to the Turkish invasion of the largely Kurdish-populated Afrin:<\/p>\n

Just as in Afrin, where the YPJ, which inspires women from all over the world, was founded, and where today women are subjugated and murdered as a result of the policies of the global hegemonic powers, also the women in Afghanistan face the same threat now.<\/em> It concluded:<\/p>\n

We call upon all women, especially upon the women in the Middle East, to stand in solidarity with our sisters in Afghanistan, to raise their voices, and to defend their lives, achievements and dreams.<\/em><\/p>\n

Leading the resistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in October 2001, RAWA stated<\/a>\u00a0that:<\/p>\n

The continuation of US attacks and the increase in the number of innocent civilian victims not only gives an excuse to the Taliban, but also will cause the empowerment of the fundamentalist forces in the region and even in the world.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tragically, twenty years on, that prediction has proven correct. Moreover, in March this year, RAWA made it clear what exactly would happen as a consequence of the 2020 Trump-Taliban deal. It declared<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Today, it is up to our people, especially our women, to stand against the treason of the US through a nationwide uprising to fight Pakistani mercenaries, both Taliban and ISIS.<\/em><\/p>\n

RAWA also referred to how their Kurdish sisters in Kobane (Rojava<\/a>) \u201crubbed the snouts of ISIS to the ground\u201d. Referring to the\u00a0financing and arming<\/a>\u00a0of the Taliban from Pakistan, RAWA added<\/a>:<\/p>\n

If we rise without fear, with determination and resilience, we can drive the ISI-created Taliban to their Pakistani godfathers\u2019 bosom.<\/em><\/p>\n

RAWA further declared that it is women who must now \u201clead the resistance against the Taliban and co\u201d.<\/p>\n

Armed resistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earlier in August, one commentator tweeted how Afghanistan needs armed resistance via the equivalent of the YPG<\/a>\u00a0(Kurdish People\u2019s Protection Units) and YPJ and the largely Kurdish\u00a0Syrian Democratic Forces:<\/a><\/p>\n

The YPJ are feminists who practise democratic confederalism. This is a form of\u00a0direct democracy<\/a>\u00a0based on the ideas<\/a> of US anarchist Murray Bookchin. According to Kongreya Star, democratic confederalism is<\/a>:<\/p>\n

a system based on a network of small, local communes and assemblies in which people come together to self-organise their neighbourhoods and towns and to decide on their collective needs and concerns. This system is not based on the paradigm of the nation-state with its centralised, state organised democracy, but is rather a bottom-up, direct form of democracy.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was the YPG\/YPJ and their allies who defeated<\/a>\u00a0 aesh in its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa. But Joe Biden, then US vice-president, warned<\/a> Kurdish militias to back off from their advances. Biden said they \u201cshould not spread west of the Euphrates\u2026 if they do they will never receive US support again\u201d.<\/p>\n

Biden\u2019s threat was all about backing NATO member Turkey, which seized<\/a> Kurdish-populated territory in the north of Syria. Turkey is now bombing<\/a> hospitals in Rojava and the mainly Yazidi-populated<\/a>\u00a0Sinjar province. As for Turkey\u2019s authoritarian<\/a> president Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan, he claims <\/a>the Taliban\u2019s recent statements are \u201cmoderate\u201d.<\/p>\n

Kurdish women-RAWA links<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the link between Kurdish women and Afghan women\u2019s struggles for freedom was further emphasised:<\/p>\n

In a September 2019 interview,<\/a> activist Samia Walid also referred to the link between the Kurdish struggle against Daesh and that of Afghan women:<\/p>\n

The struggle and sacrifices of the lionesses of Kurdistan have been an inspiration and source of strength for us. Their struggle against ISIS and other medieval-aged criminals have given us huge lessons.<\/em><\/p>\n

Walid added:<\/p>\n

RAWA believes international solidarity with independence-seeking, freedom-fighting, democratic and progressive organizations and parties as a vital part of our internal struggle. Our struggle converges with the Kurdish people\u2019s struggle as most of our enemies are similar in nature.<\/em><\/p>\n

Taliban reality<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walid also explained how RAWA\u2019s political activities include<\/a>:<\/p>\n

publishing our magazines and articles and mobilizing women to get this consciousness and join our struggle. We collect and document the killings, raping, pillage, extortion, and other crimes of these warlords in remote parts of Afghanistan. Our social activities are providing education to women (not just literacy classes but social and political awareness as to their rights and how to achieve them), emergency aid, making orphanages, and health-related activities.<\/em><\/p>\n

More recently, RAWA published<\/a> 29 prohibitions that the Taliban could impose upon women in Afghanistan. These range from prohibition of female work outside the home to prohibition of women from studying at school or university or other educational institutions.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the Taliban has organised<\/a> an Orwellian \u2018Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice\u2019, which is:<\/p>\n

responsible for controlling the little details of people\u2019s daily lives like the length of the beard, the dress code and having a Mahram (male companion, only father, brother or husband) for a woman.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rise up!<\/strong><\/p>\n

RAWA is now\u00a0calling<\/a>\u00a0for a \u201cdemocratic front\u201d to rise up and resist the Taliban:<\/p>\n

Today, as we call for the establishment of a democratic front against the Taliban, we call upon all democratic, secular, anti-fundamentalist and anti-occupation forces, all our tormented women, girls and men, to say that nothing will come out of mourning. Let us rise and resist against the Taliban and their partners, in any way and at any level, and give them a taste of defeat and sorrow.<\/em><\/p>\n

The US and its allies have abandoned Afghan civilians to the mercy of the Taliban. Consequently, resistance within the country will, of necessity, be strictly underground. And the women revolutionaries of Afghanistan will need all the support they can get.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

28.8.21<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This article was first posted at:-<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/uk\/analysis\/2021\/08\/28\/ afghan-and-kurdish-women-revolutionaries-urge-joined-up-global-resistance\/<\/p>\n

________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

also see:-<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan respond to the Taliban takeover- Sonali Kolhatkar interviews RAWA<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan respond to the Taliban takeover<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n