The PKK is a movement of women and youth: Kalkan

The PKK: A Movement of Women, Youth, and Internationalism

In an in-depth interview with Firat News Agency, Duran Kalkan, a member of the KCK Executive Council, discussed the foundational role of women and youth in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and their significance in the broader struggle for democracy, freedom, and social justice. The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) is a political umbrella organization that includes the PKK.

Kalkan emphasized that the PKK is more than a political movement; it is a transformative force, rooted in the ideals of women’s liberation and youth empowerment. This ideological framework has made the PKK a focal point for resistance against oppressive systems and a symbol of hope for marginalized communities globally.

Women and Youth: Pillars of the PKK Revolution

The PKK began as an intellectual youth movement in the late 1970s and quickly evolved into a revolutionary party. Kalkan explained that women and youth have been at the forefront of this transformation. From the outset, the PKK viewed women not merely as participants but as architects of its ideological foundation. Women’s liberation, he asserted, is central to the PKK’s mission of creating a free and democratic society.

The PKK is a movement of women and youth: an interview with Kalkan — Kurdish PKK female fighter, January 2024. Photo: PKK/ Firat News Agency ANF

Kalkan described women as the “vanguard” of the movement, driving its strategies and actions. In the PKK’s vision, the liberation of women is not a peripheral goal but the cornerstone of its broader struggle for freedom. The emphasis on women’s freedom shapes the PKK’s understanding of a just society, highlighting the need for equality and dismantling patriarchal structures.

Similarly, youth play a critical role. According to Kalkan, young people possess a natural inclination towards freedom and are less influenced by the corrupting forces of state power and capitalist exploitation. Their energy, creativity, and openness make them ideal leaders in the fight for societal transformation. The PKK draws its strength from their ability to embrace the ideology of democratic communal life and their willingness to challenge oppressive systems.

Targeted by Oppression

The Turkish state, along with other authoritarian systems, has recognized the pivotal role of women and youth in the PKK’s success. Consequently, they have become primary targets of both physical and psychological attacks. Kalkan pointed out that these attacks are not random but are part of a calculated strategy to weaken the movement by undermining its core. He cited widespread abuse, violence against children, and systemic efforts to manipulate and suppress youth and women as evidence of this targeted oppression.

Kalkan urged women and youth to resist these attacks by becoming forces of liberation. He called for heightened awareness, organization, and active participation in the struggle, emphasizing that passivity only enables further oppression.

A Global Movement for Liberation

The PKK’s influence extends beyond Kurdistan, resonating with oppressed peoples worldwide. Kalkan highlighted the movement’s internationalist character, comparing its impact to historical liberation movements in Palestine and Cuba. He argued that the PKK’s success lies in its ability to transcend nationalist boundaries and offer a universal paradigm for freedom.

At the heart of this paradigm is the philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK’s imprisoned leader. Öcalan’s writings and theories, translated into multiple languages, have inspired movements around the world. His concept of “democratic modernity” challenges capitalist modernity, proposing an alternative rooted in ecological sustainability, gender equality, and communal governance.

The PKK’s approach has gained international attention, particularly through the Rojava Revolution and the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” (Women, Life, Freedom) movement. These initiatives have demonstrated the practical application of Öcalan’s ideas, showcasing a model of governance that prioritizes inclusivity and grassroots democracy.

NOT USED A Kurdish PKK female fighters, 2022. Photo: PKK guerrillas/ANF

The Third World War and the PKK’s Role

Kalkan contextualized the PKK’s struggle within the broader framework of the ongoing Third World War, a conflict he described as a battle over the restructuring of the Middle East. He argued that global capitalist powers, through wars and exploitation, aim to reshape the region to serve their interests. However, amid this turmoil, Kurdistan has emerged as a beacon of resistance.

Kalkan asserted that the PKK represents an alternative to both the existing status quo and the destructive forces of capitalist modernity. By promoting democratic confederalism—a system based on local autonomy and cooperative decision-making—the PKK offers a path toward peace and justice.

Challenges and Aspirations

Despite its resilience, the PKK faces significant challenges. Kalkan acknowledged the intense pressure from global powers, including Turkey’s attempts to eliminate the movement. However, he expressed confidence in the PKK’s ability to withstand these attacks, citing the unwavering resistance of its members and supporters.

Looking ahead, Kalkan emphasized the importance of achieving the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and advancing the Kurdish freedom movement’s goals. He called for increased international solidarity, urging allies to spread Öcalan’s ideas and support the PKK’s efforts to build a democratic Middle East.

Kurdish PJAK/PKK female fighter, 2015. Photo: Guerrillas

A Vision for the Future

As the PKK enters its 47th year, its commitment to the struggle for justice remains steadfast. Kalkan described the movement’s aspiration to create a democratic Turkey and a democratic Middle East, rooted in the principles of equality, solidarity, and environmental sustainability. He highlighted the urgency of this mission, noting that the existing system of capitalist modernity is unsustainable and poses a threat to humanity and the planet.

The PKK’s vision, shaped by decades of resistance and sacrifice, offers a powerful counter-narrative to the forces of oppression. Through the leadership of women and youth, the movement continues to inspire hope for a better future, not only for Kurdistan but for oppressed peoples everywhere.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) began its armed struggle in 1984 against the Turkish state, which continues to deny constitutional recognition of the Kurdish population. The PKK advocates for greater autonomy in Turkish Kurdistan, home to over 22.5 million Kurds, who make up a significant portion of Turkey’s 84-million population. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including both Turkish soldiers and Kurdish guerrillas.

The PKK primarily targets Turkish military and security facilities while strictly avoids civilian casualties. This strategy has led many international organizations to urge governments to reconsider labeling the PKK as a “terrorist” group.

The PKK enjoys strong support from the Kurdish community in Turkey and around the world. Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the PKK in 1974, remains a key figure for Kurds. He is currently serving a life sentence on an island prison near Istanbul, after being captured by Turkish agents in Kenya in 1999. For many Kurds, Öcalan symbolizes the fight for cultural rights, democracy, and freedom.

To read the full interview, visit Firat News Agency (ANF).