ŞÎRÎN SALIH

Sulaymaniyah- Women held a commemoration ceremony on the 40th birthday of Nagihan Akarsel, who was assassinated on October 4. The women attending the ceremony condemned the killing of Nagihan Akarsel and promised to follow her footsteps.

Speaking at the ceremony, activist Şehên Mihemed drew attention to how Nagihan Akarsel struggled for women’s unity and freedom. “Martyr Nagihan was one of the women who fought for women’s freedom. Taking responsibilities at a young age, she made efforts to change the situation of women in society. For this reason, she decided to join the struggle for freedom. The current government in the Kurdistan Region tries to confine women to home; women do not have a space. Nagihan saw this and supported women.

“She waged a sacred struggle in Kurdistan”

Adding that Negihan Akarsel was an important woman for the works of Jineology, Şehên Mihemed said, “Jineology is the science of women aiming to raise awareness about injustice against women. Martyr Nagihan waged a sacred struggle in the Kurdistan Region to spread the ideology of Jineology. She served the Kurdish women. She had a great influence on teaching jineology to women. Martyr Nagihan healed the wounds of women by uniting them to share their pains and experiences. We will follow the footsteps of Nagihan Akarsel and hold many activities to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”

“She made efforts for education and awareness of women”

After the speech of Şehên Mihemed, Joint Network Organization member Mihabad Şêx Hemeemîn talked about how Nagihan Akarsel made great efforts for education and awareness of women. “Martyr Nagihan worked hard for the education of women in the Kurdistan Region. Some people want to deprive women of their rights and freedom. We will always stand against these people. We know very well who played a role in the killing of Nagihan. We will always struggle against them.”