The Social Status of Kurdish Women

Arez Abdullah

Written by writer Arez Abdullah
Translated by Narmeen Othman Mohammad

Despite centuries of occupation and various existential threats directed at Kurdistan from all sides, the authenticity of Kurdish culture and its unique characteristics remain deeply rooted.
The Kurdish people have resisted the oppressive cultural hegemony of dominant nations, refusing to be assimilated, far from losing its identity. Kurdish culture is currently undergoing a period of significant revival and resurgence.
For decades, Orientalists and foreign travellers have affirmed a fundamental truth the social status and role of Kurdish women differ distinctly from those of Turkish, Arabic, and Persian women. Kurdish women have historically enjoyed greater freedom and a more prominent role within their society.

Working Side by Side with Men
Throughout history, the Kurdish woman has worked alongside the man, she has fought in battles, managed the household, and earned the respect of her male counterparts. This is why notable men have occasionally been identified by the names of their mothers or wives.
History provides numerous examples of such formidable women, including La’li Khan of Rawanduz, Mehrako, the Ayyubid Lady, Khanzad of Soran, Mastura Ardalani, Fatma Rash, Hapsa Khan, Adila Khanum, Leyla Qasim, Hero Khan, and Nazan Bayram. In recent years, during the Kurdish liberation movement and the confrontation with ISIS, dozens of women gained renown for their bravery and heroism, with many becoming prominent military leaders and commanders.


Preserving Unique Characteristics
When we assert that Kurds have preserved their unique characteristics, it is directly linked to the status of women. In Western etiquette, the concept of "Ladies First" or "positive discrimination" (such as the quota system for women) are modern innovations resulting from long-standing struggles. However, when we reflect on our past and evaluate the authentic traditions of Kurdish culture, we find that thousands of years ago, women were respected and, in many fields, given precedence over men.
A poignant question may arise here: "How can this be true when women are still murdered and oppressed among Kurds under the pretext of 'honour'?"
As previously noted, Kurdistan has been under the influence and pressure of occupying powers for over a millennium, throughout this history, these powers have used the name of religion and divine decrees to impose their own customs and cultures through extreme violence. It is inevitable that after so many years of such coercion, Arab, Turkish, and Persian influences would leave a mark.

Respect and Status
Undoubtedly, these influences have taken hold—particularly the Arab influence, as they were the first to occupy Kurdistan under the guise of religion. Furthermore, as the Quran and Hadiths were in Arabic, the Kurds initially understood little of them and were forced to obey those in power, even when the rulers acted against the true essence of Islam. Subsequently, both the Safavids and the Turks ruled Kurdistan using similar methods, often with even greater severity. Nevertheless, the Kurds remained Kurds, and women did not lose their respect or status.
When we observe the linguistic structure of Kurdish, we see that the feminine gender is placed first: "Women and men, wife and husband, sister and brother, mother and father, bride and bridegroom."

Traditional Rules of Address
Moreover, according to traditional customs, it has long been a mark of respect to address a woman in the plural form (using "You" [plural/formal] or addressing her as if she represents a household). This applies both in direct conversation and when enquiring after her well-being. Conversely, in Arabic, the masculine gender is typically placed first: "Father and mother, brother and sister, husband and wife, son and daughter."
The precedence given to the feminine gender in the Kurdish language is neither random nor accidental. Language is not merely a tool for naming things, it is a mirror of thought and a reflection of a people's social condition. Our ancestors recognised the social standing of women, and thus, out of respect, they placed them at the forefront of their speech.