Sozda Oremar/JINHA

EFRÎN – “I should play a part in this revolution,” said Hidayet Şewket, who lost her son Çiyager, the YPG fighter, while fighting against Daesh. She joined women’s self-defense units by taking her son’s gun.

Mothers and fathers take over the struggle began by youth in rojava Revolution. Hidayet Şewket was born in the Qaxre village of Efrin Canton’s Mahabat district. Her son Çiyager Efrin joined the YPG (People's Defense Units) and lost her life in 2013 while fighting against Daesh gangs in his village.

Hidayet said, “I should play a part in this revolution” after her son’s death and joined the women’s self-defense units with her own words, “I took my son’s gun”. Hidayet said, “Çiyager joined the YPG in 2012, and he martyred on November 2, 2013 in the Eşrefiye Neighborhood in Aleppo. He always told me, “Mother, you should join the revolution and improve yourselves”. I joined the self-defense forces following his martyrdom. I have begun to read and learn. We have to improve ourselves, because the system always pulls women down.”

“Motherhood doesn’t mean sit at home,” said Hidayet and she thought all women should be in self-defense for their children and lands. She said, “We cannot expect everything from the YPG/YPJ. The day is not the day of mourning and sitting at home. I took my son’s gun and joined the training. We will never leave these lands to occupants. As a mother, I am very happy to continue his struggle. All women should join the revolution by follow martyrs and the paradigm of Leader Apo (refer to the PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan). Lands and women are inseparable. Let’s stand up for our children’s labor and will.”

(fk/gd)