March 8 rally in Dersim: We will increase our struggle even more

A celebration to mark 8 March was held in Seyit Rıza Square. Women chanted slogans such as “Jin, jiyan, azadi”, “We are not silent, we are not afraid, we are not obeying” and “Long live women’s struggle”.

“We would like to emphasize once again that we will increase our struggle against war and weapons directed at the peoples,” Fatma Argın Taşkale from the Dersim Women’s Platform, said in her opening speech.

Taşkale drew attention to the increasing pressure in prisons.

“We reiterate our demand for freedom for Aysel Tuğluk who cannot live on her own and has several diseases. We want freedom for Aysel Tuğluk and all sick prisoners.” 

Taşkale also raised concern over Gülistan Doku, a student of Munzur University, who has been missing for more than two years. “We have been asking since the first day, and we will continue to ask. Let’s all be the voice of Mother Bedriye and ask: Where is Gülistan Doku?”

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) member Berivan Sincar praised Sebahat Tuncel, Gültan Kışanak, Aysel Tuğluk and other female political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons.

Sincar cited Emine Şenyaşar, who had been fighting for justice for her husband and two sons who were murdered in Urfa, HDP member Deniz Poyraz who was murdered in İzmir and the Konya massacre.

“Today, we are on the streets against war, femicide and violence in many cities of Kurdistan,” Sincar said.

The United Kurdish Women’s Platform urged women to “keep our culture alive”.

“We hope that March 8 will be the unity day of Kurdish women. Therefore, we celebrate the 8 March of all women in the world, especially Kurdish women. Long live the Kurdish Women’s Union,” the platform said.

The celebration ended following a performance by the Dersim Municipality Choir and dance performances.