Solidarity Message to the First Middle East Women’s Conference

Warmest greetings from the International Women’s Alliance (IWA)!

On behalf of the International Women’s Alliance (IWA), I would like to extend the sincerest congratulations to the Democratic Free Women Movement for organizing the First Middle East Women’s Conference in North Kurdistan / Turkey from 31 May to 2 June 2013, and the highest commendation to the women of the Middle East for your invaluable participation in this timely and historic event.

The worsening economic crisis brought about by the self-destruction of the capitalist system, and the rapid and irreversible degradation of traditional economic, political and social structures that comes with it, continue to victimize, first and foremost, women.

With women holding half the sky, our active involvement in social movements for change at this time is thus important and critical. It is important and necessary that women gather together to consolidate our efforts in order to destroy the ties that bind women to historical and systemic oppression and exploitation.

The First Middle East Women’s Conference comes at a very significant and critical time and we commend the women of the Middle East for taking a more substantial and active role that goes beyond their homes and communities. It is high time that we highlight the value of women’s collective struggle against the violation of our human rights, discrimination, inequality, violence, slavery and all other forms of oppression and exploitation.

The women’s active and invaluable participation and leadership in the so-called Arab Spring helped bring down corrupt, repressive and authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and North Africa region.

While this provided an opportunity for women to challenge the old system of patriarchy and fundamentalism that prevent the realization of women’s rights and welfare, much still needs to be done to advance the struggle for emancipation of women and social liberation.

IWA International Women’s Alliance grassroots women for liberation The International Women’s Alliance (IWA) is a global alliance of grassroots-based women’s organizations for liberation.

There is a need for a careful and comprehensive analysis of the political and social developments in the world from the point of view of women, and with this as one of the objectives of the conference, the First Middle East Women’s Conference is a step towards our goal of moving forward the women’s struggle against discriminatory, racist and violent social structures, against all forms of reaction and against all types of violence against women. With the sacrifices of our martyr Sisters Sakine Cansiz, Fidan Dogan and Leyla Saylemez as inspiration, the conference is a significant move to advance not only the women’s struggle for emancipation and social liberation, but also the peoples’ movement for national liberation and self-determination.

IWA again congratulates the women of the Middle East led by the Democratic Free Women Movement for the First Middle East Women’s Conference, and for taking a significant step to advance the peoples’ struggle for life and freedom.

Long live the women of the Middle East!
Long live the women of the world!
Onward with the struggle against capitalism and imperialism!
Women fight for life and freedom!
Advance the women’s struggle for social liberation and emancipation!
Advance the peoples’ struggle for freedom, peace and self-determination!