Many of the women fighters are fighting not only against the Islamic State but also against the patriarchal norms of their own culture.

Many of the women fighters are fighting not only against the Islamic State but also against the patriarchal norms of their own culture.

A 24 year old from Afrin said she joined the YPJ because there was “no equality between men and women in the society.”

A 22 year old from Cizire said she joined because “of the suffering of women, and the YPJ was solving problems of women.”

A 21 year old from Kobani said she joined simply because she “saw freedom in the YPJ.”

The YPJ will bring about freedom and equality for all women oppressed not only under ISIS but under the patriarchy. LONG LIVE THE YPJ!!!!!