Women of Komala

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'An epistemic intervention addressing the neglect of Kurdish women's experiences from Western and Middle Eastern feminist studies, as well as from Kurdish and Iranian studies, fields that have historically overlooked both women and Kurdish perspectives. Drawing on extensive interviews yet written with the immersive depth of longstanding ethnography, Fatemeh Karimi reveals how these women's military, intellectual, and everyday contributions in post-revolutionary era were essential to the organisation and challenged traditional hierarchies, both in society and within the organisation' -- Fataneh Farahani, Professor in Ethnology, Stockholm University 'Women of Komala is a groundbreaking contribution in the field of Kurdish Studies. It brilliantly provides meticulous research that intertwines gender, class, national, and political struggle in Kurdistan, centering on women's role through the political turmoil leading up to and after the 1979 revolution in Iran' -- Pedram Baldari, Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Art and Design, University of Michigan 'Caught between the murderous onslaught of the Islamic Republic, the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88), and their highly traditional families, a generation of brave Kurdish women joined Komala in the villages and mountains of Kurdistan to fight for both autonomy and gender equality. Yet despite all these sacrifices, they have never received equal recognition, not even in death. This is a remarkable story, beautifully translated from French. Fatemeh Karimi should be commended for her outstanding telling of it, which together with the many anecdotes and interviews she brings, provide a vivid real-life texture to this story' -- Janet Afary, Distinguished Professor, author of <i>Sexual Politics in Modern Iran</i> 'A fascinating book which brings timely insights into Kurdish Iranian women's political activism and struggles. Karimi's in-depth research and thoughtful analysis shine new light on how gender shapes political movements and revolutions in Iran' -- Jane Freedman, Professor, Universite Paris 8