Kurdish Women Fighters | Fabíola Prado

Kurdish Women Fighters

Considered a terrorist group by NATO due to the attacks in Turkish cities in reprisal to the oppression of the government of Turkey in the process of independence of the Kurds and creation of a state that aims to ratify cultural and political rights for the nation – about 20 million people – the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), is also an ally of the Kurds in the fight against terrorism drawn up by the Islamic State (ISIS) and for the empowerment of women in the Middle East. That is why in the PKK guerrilla women are fighters and have been fighting side by side with men since 1978, not only by an autonomous state, but also against oppression of feminism and equal rights.

In this report, young Turkish women show their work and life routines, ready to fight and do their daily work, which includes not only gun training and physical training, but also the production of their own food with cultivated livelihoods by group and traditional manual rituals, with studies and music. During coexistence, rare in times of attacks, work is restricted to caves, which manage to accommodate dozens of combatants and means of subsistence for months. For supporters, especially for them, believing in ideals and wanting to contribute to the cause, as many family members have done in the past, are the main motivators to continue – even if admission requires total abdication of previous relationships. Others portray them as struggling for the freedom and independence of women and the Kurdish nation, and who find in the guerrilla an opportunity not only to fight but also for survival and intellectual development.

Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) members. They leave the caves, usually based in times of war and conflict, for another day of meetings, training and combat. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

During a break from combat training, young girls of the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) sing Kurdish traditional songs. Considered as a terrorist group by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the PKK is seen by the Kurds as an ally on the fight for the independence of Kurdistan and against the violence of Islamic State (ISIS). Furthermore, the PKK strives to ratify the cultural, economical and political rights, and promotes the empowerment of women in the Middle East. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-30

Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-33

Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-36

Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) member fires at the sky during the daily training, as a drone of unknown origin flies over. She confides “As women our objective is not only to fight for a own State but also for a liberation from mentalities and thoughts. War is not only for territory or nation. It is, inclusively, not to let the patriarchal system prevail. In the guerrilla we find out we are all capable.” Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Members of the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) aiming a riffle in one of the frontlines of the guerrilla’s territory in the region. Originally created in Turkey, 1978, to fight against the cultural and political censures and to claim a Nation State, the PKK is also fighting in Iraq since 2014 when the Islamic State (ISIS) invaded the region. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Member of the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) aiming a riffle in one of the frontlines of the guerrilla’s territory in the region. Originally created in Turkey, 1978, to fight against the cultural and political censures and to claim a Nation State, the PKK is also fighting in Iraq since 2014 when the Islamic State (ISIS) invaded the region. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-77

Kurdish Women Fighters on combat training . Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-76

Kurdish Women Fighters on combat training . Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Female soldiers and snipers of the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) getting ready for new combats against the Islamic State (ISIS) and NATO. The participation increasingly active and efficient of women in the Kurdish fights has been strengthening the social, cultural and moral consciences, encouraging the feminine empowerment in the region. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.

Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-73

The Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) guerrillas sing and dance typical traditional Kurdish songs. This is a rare outdoor moment, since due to the attacks by ISIS and NATO (promoted by the Turkish government), the PKK’s work is restricted to the underground caves which are able to hold dozens of fighters and livelihood resources up to 6 months. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.-56

Small group of the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) guerrillas braiding each other’s hairs. After their daily training, and after studying politics and philosophy and manufacturing their own food, the PKK women perform a rite based in strengthening their ties, relaxation and humility. Qandil mountains, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), 2015.