MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 Êlih (Batman)- Women in Kurdistan and Türkiye have already kicked off their activities and events to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25. Inspired by the Mirabal sisters’ resistance, the women will take to the streets to protest all forms of gender-based violence.  

The protests that sparked in Êlih (Batman) following the removal of elected co-mayors from office on November 4, continues while the women of Êlih welcome November 25, fighting against the usurpation of their will.

“Our city was governed by appointed trustees for eight years,” said Çiğdem Bilen, a city council member. “For eight years, no activities were organized for women. What the appointed trustees did in eight years was to close down women’s organizations and to destroy women’s gains.”

The People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) won Kurdish municipalities in the local elections held on March 31, 2024. However, Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs removed the elected co-mayors of Mardin, Êlih (Batman) and Xelfetî (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), from office and appointed trustees in their place.

“As women, we fight against the usurpation of our will, instead of preparing a program for November 25,” Çiğdem Bilen said.

“We struggle to take our municipality back. The appointment of non-elected trustees to municipalities is also a form of violence against women, usurping women's right to elect and be elected.”

‘We will resist like the Mirabal sisters’

Women fight against the appointed trustees, said Gülnur Deli, another city council member. “The will of the people has been ignored once again. But everyone should know very well that we will resist like the Mirabal sisters, who resisted fascism and dictatorship. We welcome November 25 by fighting against usurpation of our will.”

“The trustee was appointed to our municipality while we were visiting neighborhoods

and inviting people to participate in our activities to eliminate violence against women,” said Tuba Demir. “Today, we protest the usurpation of our will and we will protest the usurpation of our will and violence against women on November 25. We will break this patriarchal mindset together. I call on all women to be in solidarity with us.”