In many cities across Kurdistan and Turkey, thousands of women took to the streets on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to voice their demands for rights, freedom, justice and peace against violence and massacres against women. Women who gathered in Amed (Diyarbakır) and Çewlîg (Bingöl) expressed their anger against the massacres of women, saying, "We cannot tolerate losing one more person."

 

Elif Yun, one of the participants in the march in Amed, emphasised that women were in the streets to defend their rights and that their aim was to prevent women from being subjected to violence and massacres. Elif Yun stressed that men should stand by women who are subjected to violence, massacred, and treated unjustly, saying that they did not want women to be subjected to both domestic and social violence. 

 

“We want to live freely, without fear or hesitation. We want to live peacefully in a society where morality is not only expressed through women,” she said.  

 

'WE WANT PEACE'

 

Herem Nergiz, one of the participants in the march, drew attention to the killings of women and stated that they were in the streets to make their voices heard. Herem Nergiz said that the system in Turkey has never given women their rights and that impunity policies embolden people. 

 

She added: "As a young person, I stand with the philosophy of Jineology," said Herem Nergiz, noting that Jineology explains that women are the foundation of all society. Herem Nergiz stated that women are still being killed in the Peace and Democratic Society Process, adding, "You cannot live a healthy life with a fear-filled psychology. That is why we want peace, we always say 'Jin, jiyan, azadî (Women, life, freedom)’." 

 

'THE INTERLOCUTOR IS IN İMRALI'

 

"Women are life, let them not kill life," said Remziye Calan, drawing attention to the process and emphasising that the real interlocutor is in İmralı. "There can be no life without Leader (Abdullah Ocalan). That is why we are gathered here. No one values women as much as the president does. We want him to be free," she said.  

 

Serap Yildirim said that women are on the front lines for peace and that women are subjected to serious rights violations in wars. "Women will continue to cry out for peace," she said.

 

Guler Saray, who participated in the march in Çewlîg, stated that they did not want women to die and that the value of women should be recognised. 

 

Sedanur Toksoz stated that not only men but also women should be made aware of the issue of combating violence against women. 

 

Songul Kocan, who wants harsher penalties for violence and massacres against women, underlined that they stand behind all women, just as they did in Rojin Kabaiş. 

 

'WITHOUT WOMEN, THERE IS NO SOCIETY'

 

Nisa Barulay said, "Violence against women is a crime, an unforgivable crime. The state can tighten its laws. Without women, there is no society," she said. 

 

Aysegul Kostemoglu stressed that all women must say no to violence and demanded justice. 

 

Avsin Nazli Yildiz said that unity against violence is necessary and stated that children must be educated against the order imposed by the patriarchal system. Adding that violence against women and their murder are political issues, she called for joint action. 

 

Adding that the penalties are not deterrent, she pointed to the cancellation of the Istanbul Convention and the reductions applied to perpetrators for wearing a tie or a suit, emphasising that deterrent penalties must be imposed.

 

MA / Rukiye Payiz Adıguzel -Helin Ozgun