This body of work is an evolving reflection on a previously untitled archive documenting women’s lived experiences in South Kurdistan, collected over three decades ago by Kurdish archivist and feminist activist Runak. Hidden due to the sociopolitical risks attached to its content, the archive has remained largely unseen and unheard until now.

Through this series, I explore and interpret the stories held within the archive, giving voice to women whose experiences were long silenced. The project confronts the gendered dominance of public archives in South Kurdistan, where historical narratives are often shaped by male perspectives and legitimized through male testimony. In contrast, this work centres the female viewpoint, revealing how women, though historically marginalized, have played vital roles in shaping social and political change.

The archive bears witness to a broader systemic pattern of violence and erasure directed toward women. Due to the sensitive nature of the material, and in order to protect the identities of those involved, the footage cannot be shown in its original form. Faces have been blurred, voices anonymized, yet the weight of their stories remains.

As an artist, I absorb these narratives with both body and mind, becoming a witness myself. Through my work, I seek to create a platform where these voices can speak, visibly and powerfully, into a world that too often refuses to listen.