YRJ holds lecture to mark Kurdish Women's Press Day

The Women’s Media Union (YRJ) organized a lecture today, Wednesday, to mark Kurdish Women’s Press Day at the union’s center in Qamishlo, in the Jazira region.

Dozens of members of the Women’s Media Union and female journalists attended the lecture, which was moderated by union members Gulistan Khalil and Yara Mohammed.

The lecture began with a minute of silence in tribute to the souls of the martyrs of freedom, followed by a commemoration of Kurdish journalist Gurbetli Ersoz on the 29th anniversary of her death on October 7, 1997, in Mount Garê in South Kurdistan.

During the lecture, participants discussed Kurdish Women’s Press Day and its significance, as well as the life and legacy of Gurbetli Ersoz and women journalists who were martyred. They also discussed women’s achievements in journalism, attacks targeting women in the media, ways for women to develop themselves, obstacles facing female journalists, and the shortcomings and difficulties women face.

Gulistan Khalil opened the lecture, explaining that if they want to give this day real meaning, they should ask themselves every day how much they have progressed as journalists, as well as on the personal, institutional and organizational levels. She said: “If we turn this day into an opportunity for reflection, organization and developing our own vision, it will go beyond being merely a commemoration and become more meaningful to us.”

Gulistan Khalil shed light on journalism, saying: “What is journalism, and who is a journalist? We can reassess this once again. Journalism is revolutionary, and the character of a journalist resembles that of revolutionaries because they are always striving to reveal the truth. For us, Gurbetli Ersoz is an example of this. What did Gurbetli do? She did not merely report events; she made the media a voice for society, becoming the journalism and voice of society.”

Following Gulistan Khalil’s remarks, Yara Mohammed spoke about the life of Gurbetli Ersoz and pioneering women in the media.

Yara Mohammed recalled pioneers such as Sakine Cansız, Gurbetli Ersoz, Deniz Fırat and Cihan Belkin, along with other pioneers of women’s media. She said: “These pioneers struggled with two identities: first, they were journalists, and second, they were Kurdish. Without them, perhaps we would not be here today. We have followed in their footsteps and built on their ideas, and without their struggle for Kurdish women, we would not have known how to move forward, nor would we have recognized the importance of the media, particularly women’s media.”

Yara stressed the importance of the media to the Kurdish people and women, adding: “Women were the ones whose rights were most violated, but Kurdish women today are actively participating in efforts to ensure their rights. Through their ideas, views and identity, they have been able to make the voice of their people heard. Let us talk about Comrade Gurbet. It is well known that, as a Kurdish woman, she devoted her entire life and efforts to the cause of her people. Today, many women are contributing to media institutions along the same path. Women face obstacles in the field of media work, but we have proven ourselves and preserved our identity.”

The lecture concluded with discussions on ways to develop women’s media, as well as its shortcomings and the challenges it faces.

ANHA