Women lawyers: Awareness-raising activities against violence should be carried out
111,777 cases of violence against women were recorded in the first 10 months of 2021 in the Federal Kurdistan Region. Women lawyers spoke to NuJINHA about the increasing rate of gender-based violence in the region and said, “Awareness-raising activities against violence should be carried out.”
TERZE TEHA
Erbil/Sulaymaniyah- The patriarchal mentality is the same everywhere. As we prepare to leave 2021 behind, many women’s organizations and human rights organizations have been releasing their reports on violence against women. The figures of the report reveal that violence against women is on the rise around the world. In Federal Kurdistan Region, 111,777 cases of violence against women were recorded in the first 10 months of 2021. According to the women’s organizations in the region, there are many reasons for the increase in violence. We spoke to women combating gender-based violence in the region.
“Economic crisis increases gender-based violence”
Amine Mehmud, one of the lawyers of the Paw Women’s Organization in Erbil, stated that one of the reasons for the increase of gender-based violence is the ongoing economic crisis in the region. Expressing that financial problems cause domestic violence, Amine Mehmud said, “The worsening financial situation in the region affects people negatively. When people don’t have money to make ends meet, they inflict violence against each other. The lack of awareness-raising activities also causes the increase of violence. Children should be educated at schools to eliminate gender-based violence.”
“Gender-based violence should be put on the agenda”
Gezeng Selam, one of the lawyers of the Eme Women’s Organization, drew attention to the ongoing economic crisis and said, “More people should receive financial support. Our organization carries out projects every year. We plan everything at the beginning of each year and carry out our programs according to this plan. In 2022, we should carry out more activities to prevent all forms of violence against women.”
“Women don’t know their legal rights”
Nesrin Emer, one of the lawyers of the Civil Development Organization, told us that their organization provides services for women to know their legal rights. Emphasizing that cases of violence are now more visible because the victims of violence file criminal complaints more, Nesrin Emer said, “We provide legal support to women so that they know more about their legal rights.”