Newroz is depicted as a symbol of rebirth and resistance for the Kurdish people, linking historical and contemporary struggles to themes of endurance, renewal and collective memory. Mythical and real figures are invoked to illustrate continual resilience in the face of oppression, with Newroz presented as a unifying force across Kurdistan and the diaspora. The narrative emphasizes the Kurdish people’s ability to rise again despite repeated violence and suppression, portraying each generation’s participation in Newroz as a reaffirmation of identity, strength and hope.

Rohilat Efrin emphasizes that the YPJ remains essential to Rojava’s political and social transformation and will continue protecting its existence despite threats from DAİŞ and HTŞ. Meetings in Europe, including with the European Parliament, centered on safeguarding YPJ’s role and the broader struggle of women in the region. She highlights the YPJ’s global impact, its roots in the “jin, jiyan, azadî” philosophy, and its symbolic and practical importance in defending women’s rights and Kurdish self‑determination.

A reflective account centers on the long-standing resistance in Sur, depicting it as a struggle for Kurdish collective memory and identity. It recounts the escalation of clashes beginning in 2015, including youth-led self‑defense efforts, police interventions and the eventual imposition of extended curfews. The narrative honors individuals who died during the resistance and emphasizes the symbolic significance of Sur as a locus of historical and communal continuity. It argues that attempts to destroy or erase Sur target the Kurdish people’s identity but asserts that the community will continue to preserve its memory and collective history.

International figures welcome Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 call that prompted the PKK to dissolve and end its armed struggle. Commentators urge Turkey to initiate reforms, engage in peace efforts, and release Öcalan to enable negotiations. They frame the development as historic for both Kurds and Turkey, stressing that Ankara must respond constructively for meaningful progress.

A firsthand account by Eleni Vasilopulou recounts Abdullah Öcalan’s 24‑hour stay in her family home in Marathon shortly before his 1999 capture, describing the tense circumstances, involvement of Greek Navy officer Antonis Naksakis, and misleading assurances from Greek officials. Vasilopulou reflects on the fear created by international intelligence pressure, subsequent legal cases against those who helped Öcalan, and her lasting emotional connection to the room he stayed in. She criticizes the Simitis government’s role in the events and expresses confidence in the Kurdish struggle’s eventual success.

Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat in Montgomery in 1955 sparked a major civil rights boycott organized by local activists and groups including the NAACP, the Women’s Political Council and later the Montgomery Improvement Association led by Martin Luther King Jr. Her arrest mobilized tens of thousands of Black residents to participate in a year-long bus boycott that eventually ended segregation on city buses in December 1956. Parks continued her civil rights activism despite threats and hardships and was later honored nationally for her lifelong contributions to racial justice.

Testimonies from women in Silvan recount widespread violence attributed to Hizbullah in the 1990s, including kidnappings, torture, acid well killings and strict pressures on women’s clothing and mobility. Witnesses describe enduring trauma, a lack of justice and the continued presence and threats from the group. Recent attacks in Diyarbakır are viewed as a continuation of that period, with the state accused of enabling impunity and failing to protect civilians, particularly women.

Sebahat Tuncel evaluates her imprisonment, the political repression of Kurdish politicians, and the continuation of trustee appointments targeting Kurdish municipalities. She argues that the AKP government has pursued a long-term strategy to dismantle Kurdish political power, suppress democratic movements, and normalize authoritarian governance. Tuncel highlights widespread public dissatisfaction, increasing gender-based violence, and systemic attacks on women’s rights, linking them to broader state policies. She calls for stronger collective resistance, emphasizing the role of women’s movements and democratic forces in challenging authoritarianism, ending the isolation policies in prisons, and advancing a democratic resolution to the Kurdish issue.

Sevgi K., subjected to years of violence by her unofficial husband Ş.K., fled Adana with her children but was tracked down, beaten and forcibly taken back by members of his family. She reports death threats, forced confinement, assaults on her relatives and attempts to forcibly marry off her underage daughter to a cousin. Fearing for her life and the safety of her children, she pleads for protection and intervention as Ş.K. is expected to be released from prison.

Women in Turkey face systemic barriers to political participation rooted in patriarchal and nationalist structures that limit representation and decision‑making power. Despite legal rights, women remain largely excluded from political mechanisms, with only a small share of leadership positions. DEM Parti is highlighted as the only major party consistently practicing equal representation through co‑leadership and women‑centered organizational structures. Structural sexism, state institutions, and restrictive government policies, including attacks on women's rights and the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, reinforce inequality. The Kurdish women’s movement and wider feminist networks continue to resist these constraints, advocating for democratic participation, equal representation, and the dismantling of male‑dominated political norms.