GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION: We Are All YPJ – May 31 2026
The achievements of the women’s movement in North and East Syria are under attack—we will defend them with a Global Day of Action on May 31, 2026!
Since an agreement was reached on January 29 between the Syrian interim government and the autonomous administration in North and East Syria, military attacks on the gains of the women’s movement have ceased for the time being. However, the attacks continue on political and social levels: In the ongoing negotiations with the interim government society, and especially women, continue to defend the achievements of the revolution – women’s rights, women’s political and social participation and societal diversity – against the islamist and misogynistic mentality of the interim govermment.
The autonomous self-defense units, YPJ, embody these achievements through their very existence and actions. For this reason, the Syrian interim government does not accept their continued existence or integration into the Syrian army.
Over the past decade, the YPJ have demonstrated through their struggles, sacrifices and victories that women have the power to stand up for themselves and their society. They have successfully fought against jihadist forces such as ISIS and their misogynistic ideology. They have raised awareness and boosted confidence within their society, demonstrating that women are the strongest force in military, political and social spheres when it comes to building democratic structures. They have upheld ethical and moral standards in war and furthermore set benchmarks for ethics and justice in their society.
In doing so, they served as an example for many women in Kurdistan and the Middle East, inspiring them to fight persistently for women’s liberation with confidence in their own strength, their own consciousness, education and organisation. The YPJ proves that women everywhere have the ability and the right to defend themselves collectively and thus protect their country, their people, and their society.
The YPJ declared their commitment to securing the future of a democratic and free Syria and the defense of women. We declare, that we stand beside the YPJ in their struggle and demands: In our global action day on the 31st of May we make sure that these demands are heard all around the world: The YPJ must be integrated into the Syrian army as a unit to protect women and democratic values!
Join our Global Day of Action on the 31st of May with creative and diverse protest actions! Spread the word about the YPJs achievements, struggle and demands! Call other organizations and comrades to join the campaign and the global day of action!
Long live the YPJ, a symbol of dignity and struggle! We are all YPJ! Self-defence is our natural right!
☆ ☆ ☆
The Campaign “We are all YPJ! Self-defense is a natural right” was launched by a Joint Platform for Women’s Movements and Organisations of Rojava and Syria, including Kongra Star. Information about the campaign and material about the gains and struggles of the YPJ can be found here on the Kongra Star – Website as well as on the Website of the Women Defend Rojava Campaign.
