The Turkish version of the statement was read out by Women’s Assembly Spokesperson Halide Türkoğlu, while the Kurdish version was read by Member of Parliament Sümeyye Boz.
The declaration referred to the historical roots of 8 March and stressed that women’s struggle for equality and freedom continues today. The text called for resistance against war, poverty, exploitation and misogynistic policies, and conveyed the message: “With our revolt we weave resistance, and with resistance we weave a free and equal life.”
The statement drew attention to attacks against women across the world, particularly in the Middle East. It referred to Israel’s attacks on Palestine, the women’s struggles in Afghanistan and Iran, as well as developments in Syria and Rojava. The declaration expressed support for the women’s revolution in Rojava and underlined that women’s solidarity is a struggle that transcends borders.
Turkey’s agenda: Violence, poverty and trustees
The declaration criticised the rise in femicides, the policy of impunity, and the growing feminisation of poverty in Turkey as a result of the economic crisis.
Reacting to the designation of 2025 as the “Year of the Family,” the statement underlined that there would be no retreat from the Istanbul Convention.
The declaration also criticised the appointment of trustees targeting the co-chair system and policies directed at young women. It drew attention to cases of femicide and enforced disappearances and called for accountability.
Peace and democratic solution
The declaration referred to the “Peace and Democratic Society” call made by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, describing it as an important step toward ending violence and achieving a democratic solution. It underlined the role of women in building peace. The statement said: “For the construction of peace, Mr. Öcalan’s physical freedom and his ability to work under conditions that allow him to carry out his role are the guarantee of a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. This 8 March, we will unite around peace and hope.”
The declaration also called for solidarity against hate policies targeting LGBTI+ people and gave special emphasis to the struggles of women with disabilities and working women. It said women’s strikes would be supported and that women would take to the streets on 8 March.
The Women’s Assembly said that the solution lies in the persistent resistance of women and added:
* “For a country where the price of access to bread is not death but a dignified life,
* where our right to life is not taken away through hatred and where we are each other’s guarantee through our differences,
* where, instead of a judicial order that absolves perpetrators, even contemplating the killing of women is considered a disgrace to humanity,
* where the outcome of defending freedom is not prison but the ability to look freely at the sky,
* and for a democratic republic, a country of women, we will be in the streets on 8 March.”
The statement concluded with the slogans “Women, Life, Freedom” (Jin, Jiyan, Azadî) and “Long live women’s solidarity.”
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