The Female Face of War in the Chemical Bombing of Sardasht

The purpose of this study was to narrate experiences and effects of Veteran women (Janbaz) on chemical bombing in Sardasht .The theoretical lens of women's gender schema and the culture and gender identity of the Kurds was used to study the effects and consequences of war. Research participants are all veterans of Sardasht city during the years 1366-1397. The sampling method was purposive and 15 individuals were interviewed until theoretical saturation. By collecting data, reviewing the transcripts of the interviews, comparing them sequentially, the narrative of the experiences of chemical women in Sardasht was finally analyzed in three situations: pre-war experience, time of chemical event, and end of war. In the first position titled "Women on the Verge of War": Veteran women of Sardasht lived their daily lives in a border town full of fear and hope in the days of war. In the second position: "Chemical women on the battlefield": At this stage, the women of Sardasht are unintentionally involved in the battlefield after the chemical bombing.
The third position, "The Feminine Face of War," marks the end of the narrative of women's experiences of war. This phase continues as a departure from the chemical event and the end of the war to the boundary near everyday life. Overall, the role of women in the war cannot be understood as a passive role for women, since they were actively assisting and rescuing other victims, both relatives and non-combatants, during the bombing. In fact, their struggle and resistance were not focused on their own survival, but trying to survive the others. They also gave a special priority to those around them.