ŞÎNYAR BAYÎZ

Sulaymaniyah- The cases of violence against women keep increasing in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The support given by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to the war and occupation policies of the Turkish state not only damages social peace and national unity but also paves the way for male violence. The General Directorate of Combating Violence against Women (GDCVAW) cannot develop strong policies to eliminate violence against women and does not report the cases of femicide, gender-based violence and suspicious deaths among women in the region. 73 women were killed or died under suspicious circumstances, according to the latest report released by the directorate in 2022.

NuJINHA Sorani service released a report by compiling the news from local and national newspapers, news websites and news agencies. 64 women were killed or died under suspicious circumstances in the Kurdistan Region in the first nine months of 2023, according to the report. Women’s organizations in the region are going to hold events and activities on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to make violence against women more visible.

Cyber violence is a growing threat for women and girls

In recent years, cyber violence is the most common form of violence against women and girls. NuJINHA spoke to Papula Abdullah, a psychologist at the General Directorate for Combating Violence against Women (GDCVAW) in Sulaymaniyah, about cyber violence on women and girls. “Cyber violence is a growing threat for women and girls,” she said.

 ‘Women are subjected to psychological violence’

In her speech, Papula Abdullah highlighted that women and girls are more subjected to cyber violence. “Social media platforms have become platforms for men to use violence against women and girls. They meet young women and girls and then promise to marry them. Cyber violence is also a psychological violence against women and girls. Women are subjected to psychological violence on social media. Women cannot report cyber violence against them because they do not know their legal rights.”

‘Awareness against gender-based violence is important’

The General Directorate for Combating Violence against Women (GDCVAW) was founded to provide support and women’s shelters to survivors of violence against women in the Kurdistan Region. Speaking about the activities of the directorate, she said, “We launched a hotline for survivors of violence against women. They can dial ‘119’ to receive support. However, this hotline is insufficient to combat violence against women. Women are still subjected to economic, social and psychological violence. Awareness against gender-based violence is important.”