Lawyer Çiğdem Sevimli said Kurdish women attacked both for being women and for being Kurds

Lawyer Çiğdem Sevimli, Amed Bar Association Women’s Rights Center Representative, said that as the Kurdish women’s struggle grows, the government sees it as a danger and increases its violence.

Speaking to ANF, Sevimli said: “Throughout history, men have always had a space. All the arrangements were made in a way that gave more space to men. Women started to fight for equal life and rights. Men attack women because they do not want their power to be shaken. As women’s struggles increase, the pressures of the current governments also increase.

In this case, it is not something that only happens in Turkey. The ‘Me too movement’ that started in the US in 2018 was a movement of women looking to ensure their own social justice, as harassment was carried out indoors. This movement continued in Turkey as well. A general network of solidarity was formed. Thus, the women’s movement gained momentum.”

Lawyer Sevimli said that the Kurdish women’s movement initially started as a struggle for national identity. However, it soon included a women’s liberation perspective and the gender struggle. “Although the struggle of Kurdish women is not so different from the feminist women’s movements in Turkey, the struggle for national identity is at the forefront alongside gender. When one struggles to be both Kurdish and woman is exposed to more intense violence and attacks by the state. In Kurdistan, there is both violence against women and violence against national identity. As the Kurdish women’s struggle grew, the government saw it as a danger and increased its violence accordingly.”

Sevimli mentioned why Ayşe Gökkan, Aysel Tuğluk and other important women in the Kurdish women’s movement are exposed to the violence of the state, and said: “As you know, Aysel Tuğluk has become the symbol of the co-presidency system. She was the first co-chair. Ayşe Gökkan has always protected the existence of Kurdish women in her struggle. There were attacks on women’s institutions by trustees. There were intense attacks on women’s areas and institutions in Kurdistan. The oppression of Kurdish women in Kurdistan is not independent of the Kurdish struggle.”

Everyone should speak out against violence

Speaking about the steps women should take when they are exposed to violence, Sevimli said: “We have women living under the pressure of father, brother, wife and society. Of course, we have to defend all the rights of these women, but it is not easy, also because of the current regulations. Therefore, women who experience violence and cannot find a way out can come to the Bar Association if they can leave the house. They can reach us by phone or e-mail or through social media. They can also go to other women’s institutions in the city. They can also request support by calling ŞÖNİM or 183.”

Lawyer Sevimli also explained what can be done after women leave the environment of violence: “Women can get the support of a lawyer from the bar association. They can stay in shelters with their children under 12 years old. They can change and hide their identity and address information. They can request financial aid from the local authorities. They have opportunities until they can ensure their own safety. The picture in Turkey may look very pessimistic at the moment, but continuing to demand and insistence are required in order to make these opportunities possible.”