Şehên Mehemed: “War, occupation, and slavery cause gender-based violence”

The biggest reason for the increase of gender-based violence in the Federal Kurdistan Region is the policies of Turkey in the region, Şehên Mehemed said, “Women are trying to struggle against all the social, economic and war-caused violence imposed by the system.”

ŞÎNYAR BAYÎZ

Sulaymaniyah – Şehên Mehemed, Co-chair of the Freedom Movement (Tevgere Azadi) office in Sulaymaniyah, spoke to our news agency about the rising rates of femicide in the Federal Kurdistan Region. Drawing attention to the ongoing military operations carried out by Turkey in the region, Şehên Mehemed said, “The world suffers from an inevitable spiral of violence. Wars may not seem to kill millions, but they actually do by triggering social violence.”

“The spiral of violence is imposed on society”

Noting that wherever there is an idea of freedom, the imperial powers go there and impose the spiral of violence on society, Şehên Mehemed said, “This causes the rising rates of violence against women and social violence. Fascism and occupation policies are spreading across Southern Kurdistan. This is one of the facts that no one can deny. Women are oppressed under the system of fascism and occupation.”

“Attacks should end”

Pointing to the ongoing policies of Turkey in the region, Şehên Mehemed said, “If Turkey's presence in our country is not stopped as soon as possible, the violence will spread. The war and attacks should end because women are trying to struggle against all the social, economic, and war-caused violence imposed by the system.”

“Women demand the war be ended”

The Freedom Movement (Tevgere Azadi) office in Sulaymaniyah held actions and activities to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “During all actions, protests, and activities, women demanded the war be ended. War, occupation, and slavery cause gender-based violence. And the phenomenon of violence is alarming in the region.”