News Center -Women took to the streets in cities of Turkey and Kurdistan on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by chanting the slogan, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (English: Women, Life, Freedom). Despite the police attacks and violence, the women kept saying no to violence.

Şırnak

Women gathered in the Cizre district of Şırnak province to march by holding a banner reading, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”. Police tried to prevent them from marching; however, the women were determined to march. When the women resisted, police detained some women. The police violence was protested by women.

Van

Women gathered in Van province upon the call of the Free Women’s Movement (TJA). Facing police barriers, the women chanted the slogan, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi,” to protest police. Police attacked the women by using tear gas and used violence against women.

Ağrı

Women gathered in front of the building of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Ağrı to issue a press statement. Police attacked women and detained HDP Central Executive Committee member Hatice Akdağ, HDP Provincial General Assembly member Dilek Karataş, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Ağrı Provincial Co-chair Melike Özmüş and two activists of the TJA. 

Amed

The Women's Rights Commission at the Diyarbakır Bar Association issued a press statement in the building of the Bar Association. Many women lawyers attended the press statement by holding a banner reading, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”. The statement was issued both in Turkish and Kurdish. “We commemorate the women, who were killed by male-state violence, such as Jina Mahsa Amini, Nagihan Akarsel, Pınar Gültekin, Fatma Altınmakas, İpek Er, Müzeyyen Boylu, Meryem Sevim. And we ask the whereabouts of Gülistan Doku, who went missing in this country and her whereabouts is still unknown,” the statement said.

“We will struggle against all forms of violence”

The Women’s Council of the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Turkish: Diyarbakır Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası- DTSO) issued a press statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “As the Women’s Council of the DTSO, we will keep struggle against all forms of violence against women, especially economic violence. We call on the public and all organizations to unite in order to have a world without violence,” the statement said.

Ankara

The Women’s Rights Commission of the Ankara Bar Association held a panel at the Conference Hall of the Training Center of the Ankara Bar Association to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Many women and representatives of NGOs participated in the panel.

Adana

The Women’s Rights Commission of the Adana Bar Association issued a press statement at the Adana Courthouse to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Lawyer Eylem Coşkun, head of the Women’s Rights Commission, said that women all around the world come together on November 25 in solidarity with each other to struggle against discrimination, gender inequality, exploitation and all forms of violence against women. Calling on the authorities to fulfill their duties to protect women from violence, she said, “As the Women’s Rights Commission of the Adana Bar Association, we will keep struggling together so that women will have equal rights and freedom.”

Antalya

The Health and Social Services Workers' Trade Union (SES) Antalya branch held a press conference to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. They emphasized that they would continue to fight all forms of violence against women.

Istanbul

The Women’s Commission of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) issued a press statement at Istanbul’s World Peace Park with the participation of many women workers and DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu. The women unfurled a banner reading, “We will build an equal, free and non-violent life” and chanted the slogan, “Women, Life, Freedom” both in Kurdish and Turkish.

Izmir

Women lawyers of the Izmir Bar Association issued a press statement after holding a march to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. During the march, the lawyers often chanted slogans such as “Not male justice, but real justice”, “We rise up against violence” and “We do not give up on the Istanbul Convention”. 

Dersim

Dersim Women’s Platform planned to hold a march in the city on November 26 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; however, the Dersim Governorate has announced that the march has been banned.