Her War: Women Vs. ISIS
In the Syrian village of Serekaniye, the populace is constantly threatened by the unimaginable atrocities of ISIS. The moving documentary Her War: Women vs. Military Violence is released today. ISIS directly participates in the belly of this region, and investigates the surprising number of women who are participating in the battle against the infamous terrorist organization.
The warriors in the movie have become part of the exclusively female wing of the only militia dedicated to combating ISIS: the Kurdish People’s Protection Unit, also known as YPJ. They’re enticed by a desire to safeguard their families, their country, and their way of life. Another perk is a mandate that is imposed by the adversary: if a man is killed by a woman, they will go to Hell.
The recent employment of women in military endeavors is intended to counter the increasing conquests and fatalities inflicted by ISIS. Additionally, it contradicts traditional beliefs regarding the woman’s social position in the region. As a result, one male militant participant observes in the movie that they’re creating a “revolution within a revolution”.
One participant of this revolution is Gulan, a Kurdish woman of 18 years old who temporarily shifts her goals of becoming a teacher in order to serve in the army. She is compelled to fight because her future and the sacredness of her family’s existence are dependent on defeating ISIS.
ISIS attacked us,” the father of Gulan says. They kidnap our children and take their heads off. They kidnap our daughters and inflict terrible injuries on them. My daughter desired to enroll in self defense.”
Her War: Women vs. ISIS grants us a privileged opportunity to observe the concerns and aspirations of many of the women who participate in the conflict on the front lines. Their tales are inspirational, and their ordeals are common to all humans. Initially, their journeys are characterized by a desire to participate in the protection of everything they value. However, by taking a novel path, they are also attempting to redefine the cultural limitations on them. They demonstrate that bravery is not gender-specific.
