• 4. Women's Democratic Confederalism

Women Weaving the Future

As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, society is being dragged toward the brink of World War III. Occupation, exploitation, and destruction are being normalised, much like an action film we watch unfolding in real time. Capitalist modernity attempts to legitimise its regime, expanding its hegemony by citing ethnic, sectarian, and regional differences, as well as economic competition.

The Third World War, which has gained momentum and intensity over the past two years, impacts society, especially women, the most. The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, military violence in Africa, the ascendance of far-right parties across the globe, the genocide committed by Israel in Palestine, and the occupation war in Kurdistan all have a devastating effect on women. The attacks on our bodies, the deepening of economic exploitation, the climate crisis, and forced migration—all exacerbated by the existence of patriarchy—further intensify the challenges we face. Women’s freedom and struggles, meanwhile, are being pushed into the background, rendered secondary, invisible, and additional.

At the same time, the beginning of this century was marked by women’s resistance. In the face of multiple problems, crises and contradictions, it was women who objected, resisted and paid the biggest price. The patriarchal system could not ignore this resistance and tried to dilute its essence by making room for women within its own institutions. With developments such as NATO’s “feminist foreign policy” and the addition of prominent female faces to the structures of the UN, the EU and far-right parties, the system has tried to absorb women’s resistance, which has the potential to radically transform the system.

Women are now in intense efforts to complete the missing links of uninterrupted resistance, weaving together both the mentality and the practical dimensions of struggle. Women are striving to uncover their hidden history, recognise other struggles, enrich their methods of resistance, and grow stronger and more conscious by relying on each other rather than the system. Women are crafting their future, seeking the intersections of multiple struggles, and learning how to defend themselves. In short, women are searching for answers to the question: How should we live?

One proposal that emerges as an answer: to build a Democratic Confederalism of the women of the world.

No single movement, person or organisation has the answer of how to realise this vision. Every meeting offers an important opportunity to advance our discussions. Therefore, we aim to continue a dialogue, which we are already conducting with circles we are in contact with, together with the women, movements and organisations participating in the platform.

The main topics we want to discuss on the platform are as follows:

• What are the conditions and foundations necessary for the realisation of the Democratic Confederalism of women of the world?
• How can we weave a cooperation that meets the priorities and needs of all women, establishing a balance between the local and the universal through symbiotic ties, without introducing a hierarchical and centralised structure?
• How can we develop our self-defence against the ideological and physical attacks of the patriarchal system? How can we ensure the development of solidarity and a common struggle that can quickly mobilise in the face of attacks?
• What practical tools (training, meetings, campaigns, actions) and communication do we need to achieve the goal of raising consciousness, learning from each other, and growing stronger together?