The 2nd ICOR Women’s Conference took place on November 26th in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the participation of 73 women from 14 countries* and 18 organizations. The conference was dedicated to all the women of the world who have devoted their lives to the struggle for freedom and socialism. It honored the Mirabal sisters, who stand as symbols against violence toward women, as well as the women from Palestine, Rojava, Sudan, and many other countries where women are particularly affected by patriarchal violence, which is institutionanalized in capitalism, and war.

In a comradely atmosphere, with a culture of solidarity and constructive debate, the conference discussed the realities of women's lives, and the double exploitation and oppression they face in light of current political, economic, and social developments. The conference addressed the perspectives and tasks of revolutionary and communist parties and organizations in the fight for women's liberation and socialism.

The conference took place at a time of profound political upheavals. The crisis-driven nature of the imperialist world system is leading to massive preparations for war on all fronts, an increasing spread of militarization, and a wave of impoverishment affecting people worldwide. In several countries, the rise of fascism is tied to the rise of fundamentalist religious political forces, which promote the most reactionary family structures and views on women’s lifes. These developments significantly impact the lives, working conditions, safety, and dignity of women.

The genocide in Gaza has placed the freedom of Palestine on the global political agenda and exposed imperialism in its extreme forms. Women around the world are actively participating in the polarization against Zionism and colonialism in the struggle for the freedom of all humanity. Unjust and imperialist wars that devastate Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa, such as in the Congo, Sudan, and Libya, along with imperialist aggressions and military interventions, most recently the U.S. aggression against Venezuela, are heralding the onset of a potential third world war of division.

In addition to the daily exploitation and oppression caused by capitalism and patriarchy, women in Sudan are suffering severely due to the concrete conditions of the reactionary war, fueled by imperialist interventions. Sudanese women face a particular form of oppression under the Islamic regime and military groups backed by the U.A.E. The conference emphasized the need to raise awareness about the situation of migrant women, particularly in Europe but also worldwide, as they face harsh forms of oppression. At the same time, the environmental catastrophe driven by the capitalist mode of production is intensifying, reaching a point where it poses existential threats to both humanity and the planet.

Fascism is on the rise globally, attacking the democratic achievements of women. However, we are also witnessing revolutionary upheavals, workers' struggles, spontaneous uprisings, and diverse forms of resistance against the prevailing conditions. Revolutionary fighting parties and organizations are playing a leading role in the struggle against capitalism and imperialism, as well as for an international socialist revolution and the liberation of women.

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference highlighted the great responsibility of Marxist-Leninist, Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, communist, and all revolutionary parties and organizations in the fight for women’s liberation and shared valuable experiences from various organizations. In the face of the deepening imperialist crisis, the urgent task of revolutionaries is to win the masses of women to socialism and mobilize them against imperialism, fascism, and colonialism. Political campaigns reaching the broad masses of women, as well as female cadre development programs and need-oriented organizational mechanisms, are crucial for strengthening the women's liberation struggle and overcoming the bourgeois societel order that sets limits on women's liberation.

An initiative for an ICOR Women’s Coordination, established at this conference, will take on this responsibility and organize, together with all ICOR organizations, continuous exchange and development in order to make the women’s liberation struggle, based on political and ideological principles, a central part of daily practice. It is essential to defend the superiority of socialism over the obsolete capitalist society, particularly in the militant women's movement. Revolutionary women and their fighting parties and organizations must become visible poles within the militant women's movement and adapt their actions to the demands of the time.

The strategic allies of proletarian women are other oppressed women and working-class men. The conference discussed the consequences of class differentiation among women, which have led part of the women to become integrated part of the exploitative system, thereby oppressing other women.

The conference highlighted international solidarity as a fundamental pillar of the women’s liberation struggle. In line with this, the 2nd ICOR Women’s Conference pledged support for the ICOR Campaign to support the Al-Awda reconstruction project in Gaza. It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting female workers in their ongoing resistance against oppression, exploitation, and repression. The conference emphasized unity among women, overcoming differences, and standing in solidarity with the most vulnerable women, whose voices must be amplified. At the same time, the conference condemned the rising wave of state repression, standing in solidarity with imprisoned political women, who face torture, sexual violence, and death penalties, particularly in Iran, Palestine, Turkey, and Cameroon.

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference salutes the fighting women of the world and stands firmly by their side, from Rojava to Cameroon, from Sri Lanka to Peru, and Palestine. Women are united in the struggle for freedom and socialism. As ICOR, we will raise the banner of socialism for the liberation of women and all of humanity, carrying forward the groundbreaking socialist legacy of women's liberation.

*Countries represented: Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Turkey, Kurdistan, Germany, Netherlands, Tunisia, Cameroon, South Africa, Peru, Russia, France.

Further messages of greetings and statements of the 2nd Women's Conference of ICOR

Message of Greetings to the Women of Rojava:

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference sends revolutionary greetings to the fighting women in Rojava and throughout Syria

From Palestine to Sudan and Kurdistan, women are at the forefront of the resistance against war and imperialism. The struggle of these women serves as both a guide and a source of strength for all ICOR women in our fight against imperialism and for a better life.

As ICOR women, we stand in solidarity with the women of Rojava and all of Syria, who are defending their freedom, their revolutionary achievements, and their very existence. While women's gains are central to every critical phase of the revolution, it is the revolution itself that is determined to safeguard the hard-won rights of women. Women, especially those in the YPJ and in the ranks of the communist women, are fighting tirelessly to protect their defense forces, their right to representation, and their freedom through initiatives like joint leadership and quotas.

The revolution in Rojava is facing many challenges. In addition to the ongoing shelling by the fascist Turkish regime, the revolution and its achievements are also under threat from the power grab of the murderous HTS gangs. Particularly Alawite and Druze women, are being subjected to harassment, rape, kidnapping, and violent attacks by the reactionary and misogynistic HTS forces.

Yesterday, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, women in Rojava took to the streets to remind the world of the leadership role women play in North and East Syria and to call for more women to join them in the fight against violence and oppression. (Wenn wir rausnehmen ist aktueller)

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference sends revolutionary greetings to the militant women of Rojava. They are beacons of resistance and sources of hope for women everywhere. As revolutionary women, we pledge to continue standing resolutely by their side and to defend their achievements. International women's solidarity is our strongest weapon in the face of all attacks.

Message of Greetings to Working Women of the World

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference welcomes the growing activities of women workers and trade unions against economic attacks, fascist developments, and the danger of world war.

For example, female trade unionists at the Chinese monopoly CATL took to the streets on May 1 in Germany alongside their colleagues, protesting "against racism, fascism, and war." Because the company's logo appeared on the banner, CATL used this as an excuse to issue a total of 13 warnings against the works councilor and other workers. One colleague was even fired for actively participating in the formation of the works council.

The struggle against this was successfully carried out within the company and in court. Family and friends showed solidarity. CATL openly stated that one of the warnings was specifically aimed at a "Marxist-Leninist" in the works council. Apart from the fact that political affiliation has no place in a works council, this clearly demonstrated that the company was using anti-communist and even fascist methods in its management. They monitor their workers, force Chinese employees to work six days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and seek to obstruct and suppress the workforce's struggle against this exploitation.

The dismissal and warnings were successfully overturned. We express our full solidarity with all the brave women, workers, and trade unionists who are raising the banner in the fight against fascism and the danger of world war.

Freedom for the Palestinian Female Prisoners

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference stands in firm solidarity with the female Palestinian detainees in the occupation prisons, calling for the launch of an international campaign. They are freedom fighters and courageous women resisting colonial oppression. We call for the immediate release of all Palestinian political prisoners and demand an end to the systematic violence, abuse, and exploitation they endure.

Freedom for the imprisoned women in Iran

In Iran, more than 100 political prisoners are facing death sentences at risk of execution. Despite the torture they endure, they continue to resist for self determination and freedom. We stand in unwavering solidarity with these brave women in prison and all political prisoners and demand the immediate release.

Solidarity with Female Prisoners and Women’s Resistances in Turkey

The 2nd ICOR Women's Conference expresses its unwavering solidarity with the courageous female prisoners in Turkey, who continue to resist fascism, colonialism, and patriarchy even behind bars. In recent years, the fascist state repression under Erdogan's dictatorship has particularly targeted women, who stand as a major force of resistance in Turkey. This repression has led to increased raids and incarcerations aimed at silencing women's political activism.

We condemn the ongoing violations and systematic elimination of women’s rights in Turkey, especially the increasing criminalization of women's political organizing. The repression in Turkey goes hand in hand with a fascist agenda specifically targeting women and LGBTI.

The withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, which was established to protect women from violence, represents a dangerous and regressive step that further endangers women's lives. This decision aligns with the rising rates of femicides and a politics of impunity for perpetrators, which is directly promoted by fascism. The regime’s declaration of the "Decade of the Family" reflects a reactionary family model that seeks to imprison women within the walls of their homes.

Women’s resistance against this violence, for example the resistances to seek justice for the murders of Sule Cet and Rojin Kabais, is a testament to their determination to confront this politics of impunity and violence.

To the female prisoners in Turkey which are the carriers of this resistance: Your struggle is our struggle. We send our heartfelt greetings and solidarity to all of you, echoing your voices for freedom, dignity, and gender liberation across borders.

We call for the immediate release of all female political prisoners in Turkey and demand an end to the violence, isolation, and abuse they endure.

For the 2nd ICOR Women’s Conference and women of the world from Peru:

We are the seeds that grow on the Mother Earth.