Women are once again facing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November under difficult circumstances this year. As violence and attacks on women’s hard-won rights increase, the political crisis and economic downturn deepened by war policies directly affect women’s lives.
Speaking to ANF about 25 November, Esra Çiçek Mercan, a member of the Board of Directors of the Rosa Women’s Association, said: “There are many reasons why the cycle of violence against women is growing. In particular, the policy of impunity is one of the main factors. Because the male state and male politics do not punish perpetrators, this violence grows every day.
When we look at the current political conditions, the political power has no intention of solving this or responding to it. The policies being pursued by the government are very clear. We are faced with a policy that completely confines women to the family and reduces a woman’s living space to the home. There is a mentality that denies women in all other areas of life. Women have always resisted these policies and will continue to do so.”
The policy of impunity gives encouragement
Drawing attention to the fact that women are exposed to all forms of violence due to the impunity granted to perpetrators, Esra Çiçek Mercan said: “Especially because of the sentence reductions known as ‘unjust provocation,’ or if a woman has been killed or injured, the perpetrator often does not receive any punishment. Not being punished encourages him and those around him.
When we look at these things, we see a male mindset that draws strength and courage from the systematic policy of impunity. This male mindset is not independent of the state mentality. They create and design this in a systemic and organized way. This situation forces women into very difficult and degrading conditions.”
Women are being killed every day
Emphasizing the importance of organization and struggle, Esra Çiçek Mercan continued: “Women’s deaths have now become mere statistics. In a country where so many women are murdered, those in power should reflect on this. But unfortunately, we are not faced with such a mindset.
When we look at femicides, we encounter truly horrific data. Women are being killed every day. Given the current level of femicides and the policies pursued by the government, we cannot say there is any good faith. Unfortunately, there is an understanding of ‘obey the man or you will die.’
We do not see these issues as separate from the special war policies conducted in Kurdistan. Women in particular are being driven to suicide. For this reason, women must organize and struggle.”
Çiçek Mercan added: “As every year, we have serious preparations this year too. Together with the institutions we cooperate with, we are organizing various workshops to prevent violence. We especially have a violence report that we will release on November 25. Together with women, we are carrying out organizing efforts to be a voice for other women, and we are fighting for this.
Women are being murdered every day in this country; this country has such a memory. We will not allow these women to be forgotten. We will ensure they are not reduced to mere numbers. We will fight so that no more women are murdered.”