CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut - Members of the Women’s Humanitarian Organization, JÎN Women Association and Newroz Association staged a sit-in at Martyrs' Square in Beirut to condemn the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini. Chanting slogans such as “No to killing of women”, “No to femicide”, “Yes to freedom” and “Yes to justice”, the women expressed their solidarity with the people of Iran and Rojhelat Kurdistan, who have been protesting against the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini.

“Women will start a revolution”

During the sit-in, the women issued a joint statement. “These protests and demonstrations reveal that the 21st century will be the century of women. The killing of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini has been condemned in many cities of Iran. The mass protests and demonstrations show that the revolution will be started by women. Everywhere women have been rising up against injustice and oppression, starting a popular revolution, therefore, no revolution can be a real revolution without women,” the statement said.

“Our duty is to protect women”

Making a speech, JÎN Women Association president Bushra Ali said, “As the Women’s Humanitarian Organization, JÎN Women Association and Newroz Association, we have staged this sit-in to protest the killing of women. After the killing of Mahsa Amini in Iran, we decided to organize a protest. As women’s organizations, one of our duties is to fight gender-based violence, femicide, protect women and to call on international organizations to fulfill their duties.”

“Women are the foundation of society”

Democratic Union Party (PYD) member Şervin Cudi, who participated in the sit-in, said they staged the sit-in to condemn the killing of women. “Jina Amini was not killed for her hijab. Women are killed because they are the foundation of society, morality, humanity and freedom. The killing of women is an insult to all women. Gender-based violence also affects the next generations and spreads in society.”

“The young generation should protect women”

JÎN Women Association member Dilan Hesen said that they, as women, are always in solidarity with each other. “In Lebanon, I wear whatever I want. I get very angry when I think that people kill women for her outfits.  I promise to protect women.”

“Women will strengthen their will”

“I do not accept the killing of women. I am here to support women, particularly Kurdish women,” Newroz Association member Xezal Sado said, “Gender-based violence cases have been increasing all around the world. If the current violence continues, this will only worsen the situation in the world. Women no longer remain silent when they are subjected to violence. Women will strengthen their will.”