Self-defense and building a democratic society are two essential pillars for ensuring stability and freedom. Only together, we will be able to create a secure, just, and dignified future for every member of society. But what exactly does self-defense mean? And how does it relate to establishing a democratic society? What role do women play in this? Women from Kongra Star, the Women Protection Units YPJ and the Beth Nahrin’s Women’s Protection Forces discuss these important topics. This project was a cooperation between YPJ Information and Documentation Office, Kongra Star and Women Defend Rojava.      

Every shot fired by the YPJ is a shot fired in defense of dignity and life. In this short video we remember other shots, also fired in defense of life like the ones fired on August 15, 1984. On this day the sound of gunfire proved and ensured the existence of the Kurdish people, despite all attempts to wipe them out. https://ypj-info.org/wp-content/uploads/15-Tabaxe-inglisi-1.mp4

On the occasion of the revolution in Rojava on July 19 2025, we spoke to two female YPJ fighters.   https://ypj-info.org/wp-content/uploads/Salvegera-Soresa-Rojava_inglisi.mp4

On 09.12.2024 the women struggle reached new heights. On this day Dilda Welat, Cudî Tolhildan, Axîn Koçer, Sema Hesekê and Tolhildan Serêkanîyê fought a great struggle against the approaching militias.  Tolhildan Serêkanîyê felt martyr in the fight. Dilda Welat, Cudî Tolhildan, Axîn Koçer and Sema Hesekê fought until their last bullet. Then they decided to use a hand grenade to explode themselves and the approaching enemy.  With this action they continued the line of of martyr Zilan, who herself wrote a new chapter of women struggle on 30 June 1996. With her self-sacrificial action in the heart of the enemy she showed that the enemy is not invincible. With gratitude we remember martyr Zilan, the self-sacrifice of women fighters in Mimbic and all the women who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and justice.   https://ypj-info.org/wp-content/uploads/final.mp4

A delegation of the Danielle Mitterrand Foundation visited YPJ and afterwards shared wit us their thoughts on the visit and discussions.

Without all the friends who have given their precious life, the Rojava revolution would not exist. Our existence is bound to their martyrdom. They are our legacy. For the official ‘Day of Martyrs of North and East Syria’, which commemorates all martyrs but especially those of the Qereçox hill massacre (25.04.2017), we spoke with YPJ Commander Nesrin Abdullah about the meaning of martyrdom and martyrs for the revolution. She remembers the martyrs of the Qereçox hill massacre and explains how the people’s response to this attack became paradigmatic for a common struggle for the democratic nation and freedom.

The revolution in North and East Syria has seen around 14.000 friends martyred. To honor them the 25th of April was declared “Day of Martyrs of North an East Syria” by the Autonomous Administration. On this occasion we spoke with Gulê, mother of a fallen fighter and spokesperson of the Women’s Committee of the Federation of Families of Martyrs, about this question.