As part of 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad–TJA) launched its campaign and will discuss violence together with society. TJA activist Xecê Öncü said that the declaration they published draws attention to the necessity of a non-violent life. She stated: “When we speak of a democratic society, we prioritise both the freedom of individuals and the awareness of a non-violent life. We always say that violence against women is political.”
TJA launched its work to mark 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, under the slogan “Bi Civaka Demokratîk ber bi Jiyana Azad a bê Tundî ve (With a Democratic Society Towards a Free and Non-Violent Life).” With the declaration they issued, women will begin work in the field and will draw attention to the rising male violence and the policy of impunity. The statement emphasised that violence will decrease through the construction of a democratic society and a peace process and also highlighted the male and state violence produced by war.
Xecê Öncü said that there is no other way than building peace for a non-violent world, and that they will continue to demand accountability for the women who have been murdered.
Öncü added that the declaration they published is based on a democratic, free and non-violent life and said: “When building a democratic society, it is not enough for weapons to fall silent; it is also necessary to discuss how a non-violent life can be constructed.”
The declaration is a call for a non-violent life
Xecê Öncü stated that the declaration is a roadmap for how children, young people, women and society as a whole can live in a democratic society without violence. Öncü said, “When we speak of a democratic society, we prioritise both the freedom of individuals and the awareness of a non-violent life. We always say that violence against women is political. Nation-state systems have historically exercised violence openly, especially against women and children. This is not hidden; it is a systematic reality that has continued for centuries.” For this reason, Öncü emphasised that all dimensions of violence must be discussed when building a democratic society.
We will speak about violence with men as well
Xecê Öncü noted that for 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, they will go door to door and neighbourhood to neighbourhood. Öncü said, “We will hold open-air meetings with women and mothers. At the same time, we will sit in tea houses and coffee houses where men gather and speak about violence, its consequences and its impact on society. Because speaking about violence only with women is not enough. It is necessary to discuss it with the whole of society and determine solutions together.”
Violence is not separate from state policy
Öncü said that society’s drift towards violence cannot be seen as separate from state policies. She also said, “The policies of nation-states are built on not creating a democratic society. For this reason, we want to speak openly about how society is directed towards violence. That is why today we ask again: What happened to Rojin Kabaiş? What is the fate of Gülistan Doku? How will the investigation into Narin Güran be clarified? The perpetrators are known. We will fight both for justice to be achieved and for protective policies to be implemented.”
Women carry a responsibility on their shoulders
Xecê Öncü said that the struggle of women also means the liberation of society as a whole and concluded her remarks with the following: “While building a democratic society, we carry the burden of women on our shoulders. We demand accountability so that there will not be new cases like Gülistan Doku or Rojin Kabaiş. We aim to make this 25 November a powerful one by speaking, discussing and building solidarity around ways to place a non-violent life at the foundation of a democratic society.”