Hêlan Çiya: 'March 8 is not just a date, but a reminder to empower our existence'
'On 8 March, International Women's Day, we do not only commemorate the struggle for women's rights, but also celebrate the continuous resilience, resistance and sacrifice of women. This day is a symbol of and a testament to the women who have fought for their dignity, freedom, and human rights, but also a day when the struggles of women are acknowledged worldwide.'
'Empowerment is a constant feature of life. Of women's lives which, throughout large parts of human history, have been claimed and dominated as their own at the hands of men who oppose women's existence. On International Women's Day, women are a symbol of empowerment, inextricably linked with life and its full potential.
Whether in the harmony of nature, or the transformative path of humanity, the essence of existence and empowerment manifested through the strength of a woman.
Yet, we have witnessed a problem which has remained unsolved for thousands of years: Until women are free, society cannot be free. Without women, there is no life, no empowerment, no existence. This is a truth that future generations will need to recognise and focus on.
A harsh truth in today's world is that women continue to be victims of male power and gender-based violence. Their voices, like the voices of Yazidi women in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2014, echo loudly against male violence. Throughout history, women's wisdom persists and empowers in their struggle against this system, founded on domination and leading to the suffering, deaths, and genocide of women.
Radical in its defiance of patriarchal systems, the women's liberation movement continues to inspire the ongoing struggle for gender equality and freedom. In the twenty-first century, as we reflect on these struggles, it is essential to protect the legacies of those who have bravely fought for the existence, rights, and freedoms of individuals, groups, and nations.
The movement and collective action of women across the globe continues to grow, amplifying their voices and their resolve at a time when the existence continues to be challenged. Each day, women contribute to broader narratives of freedom and justice. The song of women symbolises life and reminds us to empower our existence. It is a powerful melody which has continued from the initial struggle to the present moment, ensuring that the march for liberation goes on.'
Hêlan Çiya
Hêlan Çiya is an Iraqi-Kurdish writer, journalist, and a women’s rights activist.
Much of Çiya’s work addresses issues of women’s rights in the Kurdish region of Iraq, highlighting human rights violations against women, including domestic violence, honour killings, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation. In addition to this, Hêlan has also reported on the political situation in Iraqi Kurdistan and her commentary has led to wider debates in the media and beyond.
As a result of her professional activities as a female journalist, Çiya faced harassment, intimidation, and threats from various groups and individuals in the community and the region.
Hêlan Çiya is the ICORN resident in Malmö for the period 2023-2025.
