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2004327 2004325_23_22 (TV 3438 Arabic Appendix Issued By Women Information and Culture Center www.puk.org Published Ones –– email: rewankurd@yahoo.com every Month 3133015–3124287 Fax: 00448701383044
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On such an occasion of today and after pass of 13 years of liberty, let us all bow for the brevity souls of those women who tolerated all severe physical and psychological pains Page 3
Congratulations on 8th of March
facing the Role of WMEC Center in problems 8th of March intensifies the world wide From 1/01/2003 to 1/01/2004 historical struggle of women which was one of 64 Cases have been solved exclusively. the greatest struggles of human being to 150 Cases approached our Center seeking solutions. 81 cases achieve justice. This conflict was the outcome of the political, economical, social and were from Rural areas and 69 were from Urban areas, Follow up has psychological circumstances of women which been made for them. 587 persons both male and female from 81 villages of Garmian was first initiated from an upraise of women area have got benefit from awareness raising project in regard to against these different pressures, in which it family problems , especially the subject of girls ’ circumcision developed to become a worldwide political and released from the tradition 30 Girls have been of Young Age social movements in different forms that also Compulsory Marriage. led to the foundation of the different feminist 287 Women-Headed Household in Garmian area have got schools and cultures. Due to this we can say, benefit from an Income generation and social awareness project this one day of woman requires a 600 Persons both male and female from 86 villages of Garmian comprehensive understanding of that history area have got benefit from Health awareness raising campaign and the mission it seeks yearly. Here and on managed by Mobile Teams. 8th of March and this wide world of Kurdish Implementation of a project under the name of ( Woman Life women, which is mixed with wars and and Artist Vision), consists of Photos, Tableaux and texts which instability we declare that we are the women of displayed in Paris in France and expected to be presented in a the Kurdish nation which suffers occupation number of European countries. 50 Women have been employed as a result of advocacy made are alone witnessing our own sufferings and by this Centre. sorrows that enormously overweighs our 31 Episode of Kurdish language Rewannewspaper has been happiness, that is why we do not want to forget ourselves amongst the historical world wide issued and 18 Episodefrom Arabic language appendix. collected by our staff Approximately 4000 signatures have been events but we seek to integrate our special in the process of participation in the Referendum. events among the general world events and look for declaring and establishing our characteristics and individuality within them. On this day and while we honor all women and the women victims of the political and social circumstances we seek the Kurdish Authorities to develop different social and educational projects to achieve a just society without discrimination. Open a Sub-office for Women Media and Education Center in Khanqeen Town the Center an Art On 8th of March 2004 Exhibition will be and coincided with displayed for Ms. woman International Day, WMEC opened a Zainab in which through her tableaux new Sub-Office in the Kurdish women khanaqeen town to itself the carrier are circumcised. offer its services for the physical and Rewan Newspaper regards of the Kurdish women pains where ever they Honor killing, only in one th vulnerable communities psychological pains is are. On the anniversary occasion of 8 of village20 girls have been expressed along with March a number of villages in the eastren Compulsory Marriage and who had suffered part of Kurdistan have been visited to study young the sufferings of Anfal decades of oppression. the effects of political circumstances on the girls’ compulsory exist. ruining the life of the individuals and the operations and The prevention of girls from Parallel with opining findings are the following educationand/or dropping them Arabization process. All the girls in visited villages of schools at early stages.
Rewan in a Live interview with the Voice of Women Radio in Stockholm th
At 6:30 pm on 7 March 2004, the Voice of Women Radio in Stockholm, has conducted a direct interview through telephone with Rewan Newspaper Chief Editor, Ms. Runak Faraj, regarding Kurdish Women role in the current stage and Women Media and Education Center activities on th 8 of March. First Ms Runak, in her speech threw light on the effective role of Kurdish women had and the efforts made so as not to loose the political freedom the Kurds enjoy now, via participation in many new established groups and organizations such as the Referendum group, Again it was the Kurdish women who were initiative in supporting the Iraqi women in standing against any decrees made that do not go along with women’s civil rights.
Issued By Women Media & Education Center
Special Episode
Monday 8 March 2004
Headline
Let me tell you some facts
No.(70) 8/3/2004
The challenges face the Kurds in current political climate in Iraq
Drakhshan Al-Hafeed: Born in Suleimaniya 1939, she holds Bachelor of Arts in history, as a female, she had role in national struggle and establishment of any organization and centers for women. She participated in the demonstrations of 1948 and 1952 years, she was one of the creators of Students Association and also Women Union. Rewan met Drakhshan and she stated: Due to the effective participation I had in the national movement and the experience I obtained, I can have a say in regard to the political situation of Kurdistan. We as Kurds, made most of sacrifices in any political changes occurred in Iraq, but soonest that authority established itself, it tried to demolish and ignore the promises and agreements made between us. Present situation, after 13 years of selfgoverning and independency, it is seems we are going to loose everything. Kurds cooperation and brotherhood- spirit towards the nations we united with unwillingly, history witnesses our attitudes that are full of sacrifices and humanitarian attitudes for the sake of brotherhood between Kurds and Arabs and all other marginalized nations allover the world for the sake of civilization. Right from the start of history and up to Islamic supremacy and flow of communism and internationalism, we were struggling with a spirit of
do not stop here; the fever of Iraqiness descends to all political, civil and organization levels including women organizations. With the demise of the former Iraqi regime, the opportunities that presented itself to the various political of numerous organizations, parties helped the emergence particularly in the center and south of Iraq. And opened the door to a flood of specialists and NGOs to surface in many walks of society. Trifa Ali Transalted by: Nabard Hassan If I take women issues ad an example, I notice the mushrooming of number of activities, the precursor of To point promptly the conditions of Kurds current work promoted by Arab nationalism embodied in Baath party good work. Regardless of whom carries out these and activities, I pose it in the shape of these two and religious fanaticism for so many years, both masked activities be it foreign or Arabic organizations. However same thinking or idea that questions: by a planned program of national interest and religious they seem to feed from the 1. In Iraq unstable political environment, how we uniformity respectively. comes under the banner of (United Iraq and preserve the this type of generalization, it Kurds, steer our contribution towards her political On the other hand we need to harness the process of Iraq unity), I take issue with process? learning and instilling the principles of a democratic reminds of the Baathism vision of Iraq. It overlooks the 2. How should Kurds be involved in political society. These are a much needed currency for nations fact that Iraq consists of different nations, religious and process without resorting to the culture of hate and that has been victims of states based on control of its ethnic groups. No power on earth can dissolve these into one unit. The Iraqi hostility towards others or use the language of united citizens to the tiniest unit and details by a tyrannical components and mold them Iraq or the assimilation of other communities? dictator which shaped every relationship between its people have suffered untold atrocities to force that unity reaching its peak under the A brief glance at the recent history of the deposed Iraqi components. under past dictatorial regimes regime and an examination of its various systems of To demonstrate these new relationships, it is the duty of Baath regime and we witness its consequences today. oppression and persecution, we can safely conclude that political parties and all other newly created community Kurdish community has lived under the illusion of they were based on the principle of (United Iraq) and the organizations to serve its respective groups and interests participating in building Iraq, but according to the practice of (assimilation). For instance if an individual generally and women in particular. Ensure a focused information and contributions that we as a women wished to be involved in any form or shape in a political effort on the basis of mutual respect and maintain organization have collected and made, it has become do not recognize the or social activity, it was an obligatory condition that independence. This would protect the political personality clear that not only they individual has to be a member of the state run organs or that the Kurds has built in the last 13 years of self-rule democratization of organizations but also they deny our carries a world of difference the Baath party. Women were not exempt of this away from the horrors of Baath regime since March 1991 existence. As a group which condition. Any women related activities were to belong to uprising. Why should we shy away from the fact that our and uniqueness, that we have suffered immensely for Iraq Women Federation affiliated to the Baath party. The general scheme of work has been in this direction? My them and gave numerous sacrifice, this on one hand, and other choice was to be part of the opposition parties concerns are that we have made attempts to re-integrate on the other, the Kurdish individual depiction of in the face of others. Despite affiliated women organizations. For it there were not any (or self-chaining) with the power of the center in Baghdad, him/herself as a lesser being other options available under tyrannical dictatorship state at all levels, rather than emphasize our differences. Proof the obvious knowledge of the evidence that we are the for independent organizations serving its varied to this is abundance. Take for example the level of owner of many facts. community. authority: after the immediate demise of the Baath regime If the excuse of preserving peace and promote The conditions in the current Iraq are amply different from in Baghdad, regardless of geographical boundaries and coexistence exist, then weown humanistic and inclusive that described above. There are many opportunities to without any consultation and before any future political vision capable of bringing them about and further more as individuals. form organizations that can speak on behalf and serve model for Iraq has been agreed or decided, a decision by cherish our independence Some the various communities of Iraqi society. main Kurdish political parties were taken to raise the old of such projects are the Women High Commission, Media To create the grounds so that never again the practices Iraqi flag of Baath era on all government buildings. A flag High Commission and Journalists High Commission. and systems of the deposed regime is repeated, we as which is a symbol of Baath Arab nationalism and all the In fact whether we like it or not or we realize it or not, this Kurdish women face the task of organizing our work in horrors of the crimes committed under it, far from being a attempt of self-dissolving, self-disvaluing and underrating such a way that makes it compatible with democratic symbol of peaceful coexistence of different nations within the experience of many years of hard work, in which with healthier experience than principles. a geographical boundary that is called Iraq. all its shortcomings is a much To begin with, its imperative to identify the various types There is also, an needless groveling and gratification the one of the Baathists that governed Iraq. we women have to confront or relationship between the communities. In my view, I towards tribal heads and Shakhs whom until the yesterday In this new situation in Iraq, regard (mutual understanding) and work collectively as a were applauding the dictator and were pillars of support the undermining of our voice in having our say in the healthy form of relationship, to achieve our independence for the tribal dictatorship of Baath party. events and decisions that shape the future of Iraq. and at the same time preserve our effectiveness as a The rivalry of Kurdish political parties to establish TV Whenever we make a point on the hot issues of time that we are accused of being creative force built on that mutual respect towards each stations, opening of party offices in central Baghdad is is outside the political party, other. This will consequently lead to break our isolation another evidence of gravity towards the center. The same affiliate with this or that political party. There is the fear of independent thinking outside and dampen hostilities towards Kurds as a nation. It can be said of efforts put in by these parties to publish that there is no room left for should also be an approach that brings about peace and newspapers and magazines in Arabic language to political parties. prosperity and remove the scars of hatred which was emphasize the concept of Iraqiness. Evidently the deeds
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THE NEW IRAQI CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE A PILLAR FOR ENFORCING EQUAL RIGHTS OF BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
Honia Translated by: Nina tolerance, and self-denying for serving humanity and them with the words of kurds friend President brotherhood among nations. Just now, the Arabs Muamar Al-Qazafee who says: (Kurds exited from consider federalism as too much for us do not give the party with empty hands, after all that series of Kurds the right to have it!? old and new revolutions and after Halabja and Anfal May we learn lessons from past and from the words Operations, what did they gain? They had more at of the great Kurdish poet Haji Qadri Koyee who the period of monarchy. A nation who have land, says: history and their own language and to be 30 Million Sorrow of Kurdish nation has broken my heart. persons, why shouldn't have their and they They catch dragons like heroes, but they learn no independence and freedom be like brothers with lessons. Arabs?! Therefore it is my duty, as a woman, in this age of I say to the Arab Mister : After 13 years of freedom and globalization led by United States, to sovereignty and self-governing, I came to tell you;
May we learn lessons from past
say; let us not forget ourselves and be daruses of globalization again. Let us fight for our interest and work for ourselves from now on to achieve geographical federalism of today and complete independence of future. A spokesman in Jazira TV. Channel, newly said with an abusive and silly smile: (yes, you Kurds are asking too much in order to gain little) "I don't Know, whether he considers the federalism as too much or he is well familiar with the stages of history and straggle of national movements and he advices us. It is true, our mandate for today should have been complete independence so that our brothers agree minimally on that some federalism and consider it adequate it in this phase. We answer
with you I live and I want autonomy in the name of federalism which means voluntary union …and in spite of this you are the heartbroken one?! At finale, I believe, it is women who made most of the sacrifices, and I think only by achieving political freedom, some of our wounds will heal. For this purpose, I call upon all women of Kurdistan with brave loud voice and with a united attitude to stand for achieving our aims and protect freedom of our nation. In which through it organizations and let us awake not to independency is guaranteed melt ourselves inside the Iraqi Organizations. We lost many chances, It is enough for gender and national subordination.
POLITICAL FREEDOM IS A VITAL PRINCIPLE TO ACHIEVE ALL CIVIL HUMAN RIGHTS
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Runak Faraj Translated by: Nasreen Ibrahim Kurdish women had made lots of sacrifices for freedom. They lost sons, brothers and husband and they faced imprisonment as well. But this physicaland psychological pain has never been heard because no chances were available to display these pains. Furthermore it was not to the interest of international policy and neighboring countries, even they tried to demolish it. Daily there are tens of articles on women and torture inside prisons and indictment of those governments who execute these acts, but until now, no article on Kurdish women torture and pain inside prison is heard. When we inform the foreigners, they are surprised and inquire whether these things really happened!! while Arab nationalists say it is fabricated state! a nd repression inside Baath regime prisons. On this occasion, let us make a pause in front of one of the violations implemented against Kurdish women, which is torture Hereby we made a follow up for a number of those cases imprisoned and/or executed Kurdish women so that recalling of their deep wounds be proofs on Baath crimes and put responsibility on all those who want to determine our future according to their will. * Fakhriya: In accordance to a confidential letter No. 5870 dated 17/09/1987, the execution of Ms. Fakhriya and her daughter Mahabad Omar Saeed together with two other families, was decided by an order from Ali Hassan Majeed. Then the execution has been announced to the public by (North Organizations Head Bureau) via letter No. 6806 dated 12/11/1987. Many of those who were in prison with her, witness her courageous manner and confirm that torture and suffering could not obliterate her willpower, even when they told her " We have executed your son Barham and will kill Aso, too", she did not say anything. Finally and after server torture together with her children, they were executed. Sazan Jalal: recounts her experience ; I was a university student when I was arrested, two other girls, Firyal and Zhiyan, were in the same room with me, Kner another imprisoned girl was in another room. The Baathist torturers pullout our nails, hanged me with a rope several times within 24 hours and applied electric shocks on top of my fingers and toes, on my ears and my mouth then they were bleeding. They were tightening us to a chair and then electrocuted us, when they applied electric shocks on my nipples, they were exploding and bleeding. They ironed and burned my stomach, back, arrested during Aed of chest and face. I will never forget that day when in the corridor, I heard screaming, they throw me Rezan Rashid: she was in to a stinky room, the first day they came and Sacrifice in 1985, she recount her experience: they brought my friend back to the room, we took me, in the way they called me names, they On the night I was arrested with my two brothers, screamed, they had forced her to sit on a heater took me to a room where there were two other a cousin and another youth by name of Jamal, and her hips were all burned. They hanged me persons, one of them said (unveil her eyes), I will who died after 3 nights of torture. That night I upside-down during the monthly period, blood never forget his face, one of the two men slapped was thrown into a room 3x4 m, where there were were coming down over my legs, or the day me, I fall dawn then the higher position officer sat another three women, in the Emergency Forces when they put a metal ring around my neck and me on a chair and said (If you cooperate with us, center. hanged me. they fall me down twice then blood we will help you), then I asked what kind of We were tortured every night. There was an old were coming down from all my body. When I was cooperation. he asked if I know a man he woman by name of Rahma they pulled her by her freed, I realized that we were thrown out of mentioned his name I replayed (No), a heavy head scarf, beat her with water hose and society, especially in the men eye. I decided to blow stick hit my back and I fall down. electrocuted her. Theybeat us with a cable 150 Whenever they heard (No), they beat me more. times until our body were all swollen then pour keep silent. H. B. states: Although tradition in my society do They took me to the torchering room, they untied cold water on us or put salt on our wounds, until not allow me, as a female, to display all tortures I my hands, they took off my clothes, that day they blood will stream out of our wounds. They would faced in prison, but today, when I see all aims I put out four cigarettes on my hands and scars of say to us this is the school of education. They was struggling for is going to break into parts cigarettes burning are evident. They were had applied so much electric shocks behind my hear the screams of my again, come and say; How could you forget and animals like, I fainted, once they hanged me ears I felt destroyed. To forgive what I am telling you now? The first thing upside down for one day long, from time to time in the room next to they did to us, they stripped us naked and they pose cold water on me and they were brother while being tortured ours was most hurtful. Under torture one of his started fondling to satisfy their sexual needs. touching my chest and my body. Severe torture me to watch him while They were torturing us so heavily, while they continued until one day they took me to a room kidneys burst, they took removing his kidney without antiseptics. At that were drunk, until we were faint. Until now, I don't Even with all that I did dare to see a doctor, because in the eastern where a student from another college, when they point I went unconscious. asked him, eh said that this is not that girl. I felt community, how they wore off my clothes and not confess. with their glass of wine in their hands attack me happy and thought I will be free, but they laid me Next to our room there were one for children, it like animals. If really international court exists, on a table, they were three persons, they was most painful to hear them screaming for their they would have paid a visit to Baaths prisons at stripped me naked, I tried to resist, one of them mothers when they were tortured. One form of that time and observed how that dirty regime gave me a heavy blow on my head, I fall torturing the children was to force a glass bottle tortured this nation. unconscious, when I woke up I felt great pain and into their annals. One night a child died of this. * K. S: The morning of 28/03/1982 at 7:50 and saw blood on my legs. I knew something had Although I am free nowbut feel my soul and body when was going to college, I was caught in the happened to me. What I am telling you now has body are destroyed. reception office by some Arab persons. In prison, changed all my life and forever.
On such an occasion of today and after pass of 13 years ofliberty, let us all bow for the brevity souls of those women who tolerated all severe physical and psychological pains
No.(70) 8/3/2004
No.(70) 8/3/2004
Congratulation on the Occasion KURDISH WOMEN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN DAY of 8th of March MARCH 8 2004, FROM SULAYMANIAYH TO ZAXHO Women Media and Education Centre is continuously endeavor to break boundaries and to be the voice of Kurdish women to the outside world. The center view itself as part of Women international movement. Its activities reflect this approach. This year, on International Women’s Day March 8, Women Media and Education Centre will present an hour long program on Kurdish satellite, Kurdistan TV, produced by Hana Shwan, filmed by Viana Kamal and presented by Dashne Sami. Rewan TV. Program consists of a panorama parts of Kurdistan. Then contribution in art and Mahmud and presented of political oppression it demonstrates the steps cultural development. by Bahar. Rewan Radio that Kurdish women had that Kurdish women has In Suleimaniya our staff program is an outlook on taken after the uprising in will broadcast a special the importance of On the occasion of 8th of March the International Woman suffered under the deposed Baathist which women explain Radio program in Kurdish women present Day , Wmen Media and Ewducation Centre extends its regime. There is a their role and activities, Kurdistan Region Radio. stage hard work. warm greetings to all women in the world and Kurdish series of interviews with these and as well as This progarme is women in all four parts of Kurdistan. women from various women’s general produced by Niyan ( This above Poster by: Akbar Mansuri) Planting Trees as a “ Woman’s Body, symbol of Peace Woman’s Soul ” Tree planting is another activity of the Centre in this day, a campaign for planting trees as a symboll for participation is conducted. The trees are planted in a number of Governmental Offices in Erbil, Duhok and Suleimaniya. This book written by Media as an Christian Nortrob, who is one of the capable activity on this American female writers. occasion The book has been translated from English Also on this into Persian by language occasion, issue Ms. Porandokhit Tamdon special appendix and recently Ms. Shaida episodes for Rewan Salah translated it into newspaper in three Kurdish from Persian The languages Kurdish, language. translation has been Arabic and English. revised by Mr. Azad Barzinji. In its two main sections, this book precisely analyses the between body Issued by relation and soul in an academic Special English and scientific way and Episode issued on the Women Media and Education Centre reiterates that women th Occasion 8 of March Supervised and Translated by Nasreen Ibrahim Rahem can prevent body illness by controlling body and of International day of soul. www.puk.org Address: 101 Shorish St, Suleimaniya Iraq Women This book is the first e-mail: rewankurd@yahoo.com Tel:3133015- 3124287 translated book in regard Fax: 00448701383044
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to women psychology