As part of ongoing efforts to elevate the status of women and strengthen the unity and collective voice of Kurdish communities abroad, a large-scale public carnival was held in Germany on 13 September 2026 under the slogan “Women Are the Colour of the World.” The event was attended by a significant number of women’s organisations and diaspora federations, and featured an award and certificate of recognition presented to writer and journalist Harman Ahmed.
During the event, which was organised in Germany, a certificate of appreciation recognising Harman Ahmed’s contributions to culture, art, and the cause of women was presented to her through her representative. The certificate had been prepared by the organising committee of the event, the Ahmed Sheikh Belo Association, and the Zozan Group. At the same time, she was also presented with a special clock-style artwork dedicated to Kurdish women’s culture.
In a message delivered to the attendees through her representative, Ms. Harman Ahmed expressed her profound thanks and appreciation to all the organisers, federations, and sponsoring centres for creating this significant opportunity in the heart of Europe.
In her speech, Harman Ahmed emphasised that the award and recognition were not an individual achievement, but rather a crown of honour placed upon the heads of all women who, every day, break through darkness with their ideas, pens, work, and continued struggle, opening doors towards the light. Harman Ahmed dedicated the award to the resilient women of her homeland, both at home and in the diaspora, who have continually demonstrated that they are the source of life and the driving force behind the rise and advancement of their people.
In another part of her message, Ms. Harman stressed that a woman is not merely half of society, but the spirit and very identity of life itself. The history of Kurdish women demonstrates that, in times of hardship, they have stood as shields of resistance and defence, while in times of peace they have been architects of cultural and civilisational development.
She stated that no nation can move towards freedom and prosperity unless women are at the forefront of different fields and at the centre of decision-making. This is because a woman’s pen does not merely write words; it shapes awareness, transforms pain into hope, and illuminates the path for future generations.
The event represented broad coordination and cooperation among the diverse components of the Kurdish people. A considerable number of women’s organisations and institutions from all four parts of Kurdistan and the diaspora participated, including the Kurdistan Women’s Union, the Kurdish Diaspora Confederation, the Union of Kurdish Women in Syria, the Union of Kurdish and German Women, the Kurdish Centre of Aachen in Germany, the Zozan Association, DIOEF, the Pêry Organisation Against Violence Against Women, the Kurdish Women’s Alliance in Syria, as well as Yazidi and cultural centres and organisations.
At the same time, a number of diaspora-based service, media, and business organisations — including GFB Company, Rohevi Centre, Maward Restaurant, Zeytoon Market, and Ronahi Video — supported and sponsored the carnival. This also reflected the relationship and cooperation between the economic and civil sectors in advancing the cause of women.
Over recent years, Kurdish communities in European countries, particularly in Germany, have demonstrated considerable capacity in organising civil society. Kurdish women abroad are increasingly seen as a bridge between preserving national identity and engaging with the progressive and developed societies of the wider world.
In this context, the long history of women’s organisations in Southern and Western Kurdistan — particularly the Kurdistan Women’s Union, established in 1952 — has continuously served as a source for nurturing and developing female leadership across various fields.
The recognition presented to writer and journalist Harman Ahmed, who currently serves as editor-in-chief of the Rêwend Magazine, affiliated with the Kurdish Diaspora Confederation, as well as head of the Confederation’s media department, reflects the high value placed on the role of the written word and on civil and intellectual activism in strengthening the Kurdish women’s movement at the international level.
Harman Ahmed is also the author of the book “Me and Kirkuk”, and has written dozens of studies and articles addressing the national question and women’s rights. Her recognition represents an appreciation of the important role played by writers, journalists, and civil and intellectual activists in advancing and strengthening the Kurdish women’s movement on the international stage.