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Palestine, Kurdistan, Balochistan: Stateless Women’s Struggles Amid Genocide

Examining a crucial moment in global feminist resistance 10 AM PT / 1 PM EDT / 6 PM BST / 7 PM CEST / 10 PM PKT 18th June 2025 Register Now Description

Throughout the history of imperialist, neo-colonial and authoritarian state violence in Palestine, Kurdistan and Balochistan, stateless women’s movements have tirelessly struggled for an end to genocidal violence, basic rights and equality, and women’s autonomy. With conflict and gender-based violence continuing to spread throughout the Middle East and beyond, these women find ways to organize, survive and resist the states that deny their right to existence, often while striving against discrimination within their own movements and communities.

Truthdig is bringing together speakers from all three communities to share their experiences and perspectives at this crucial moment.

For more in-depth reporting and analysis on these topics, we invite you to read Matt Broomfield’s Dig, ‘Rojava’s Embattled Revolution.’

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People

Dig Curator

The discussion will be moderated by Matt Broomfield, a freelance journalist, Truthdig contributor, and doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex. He is the author of “Rojava’s Embattled Revolution,” our investigative Dig that explores the women-led, direct-democratic revolution in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan), where he lived and worked for three years. His reporting also spans occupied Palestine and the Baloch movement in Pakistan. His forthcoming book, Hope Without Hope: Rojava and Revolutionary Commitment, will be published in July 2025.

Dr. Afaf Jabiri, co-director and senior lecturer of the Centre for Social Justice and Change, University of East London

Dr Afaf Jabiri joined academia after 17 years of work as a leading feminist activist on issues related to gender equality, humanitarianism, refugees and migrants’ rights, peace, conflict resolution and transitional justice in the Arab region.

Khabat Abbas, independent journalist and video producer

Based in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan), Khabat Abbas has covered the developments from the frontlines in Syria, including demonstrations, the fight against IS and its aftermath. She won the Kurt Schork News Fixer Award (2021) and is a fellow of the Reporters Without Borders Scholarship Program Berlin.

Sammi Deen Baloch, Baloch Yakjehti Committee, general secretary of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons

Over the last 15 years, Sammi Deen Baloch has been a prominent advocate for the rights of Baloch people, including the case of her father, Deen Muhammad Baloch, and other missing individuals from Balochistan. She was honored with the Front Line Defenders Award (2024).