with the syrian civil war, the kurdish populated area in northern syria has gained de facto autonomy as the federation of northern syria - rojava, with the leading political actor being the progressive democratic union party (pyd). kurdish women have several armed and non-armed organizations in rojava, and enhancing women's rights is a major focus of the political and societal agenda. kurdish female fighters in the women's protection units (ypj) played a key role during the siege of kobani and in rescuing yazidis trapped on mount sinjar, and their achievements have attracted international attention as a rare example of strong female achievement in a region in which women are heavily repressed.