Abdullah Öcalan, in his statements regarding the new process, repeatedly emphasized that women must take the lead in the struggle and that the success of the process should be achieved through women’s struggle. The Kurdish women’s movement, drawing on its long-standing struggle for peace and accumulated experience, declared that it is prepared for this process.
Within the women’s movement in Turkey, however, the struggle for peace constitutes a more difficult and complex situation compared to the Kurdish women’s movement. Both in the past and today, the women’s movement in Turkey has waged an intense struggle for peace.
Feyzanur Yılmaz of the Labourist Movement Party (EHP) spoke to ANF about the women’s movement in Turkey, its approach to the peace struggle, its perspective on what Kurdish women have experienced, and whether it is prepared for the new period.
Women’s movement is a strong example in socializing peace
Yılmaz stated that peace must become socialized, stressing that the renewed discussion of peace is a positive development, and continued as follows: “In fact, we approach what we call this process as the socialization of peace. Even speaking about peace and bringing it into public discussion is very positive. From the perspective of the women’s movement, the women’s movement in Turkey has always been intertwined with the struggle for peace. It has consistently addressed the issue of peace, but especially since last year, it has also sought to discuss how to socialize it and has tried to make it a central issue. For example, the ‘I Need Peace Women’s Initiative’ was established. In addition, during March 8 and November 25 actions, it has taken up peace through its banners and slogans. I believe it has been successful in this regard. The women’s movement itself is a strong example when it comes to socialization. In that sense, it also stands as an example of the socialization of the struggle for peace.
I also believe that the efforts it will make toward socializing peace are important. I can say that we have approached this process positively. Because women know very well what war brings and the destruction it causes. Within the Kurdish movement, as part of an oppressed nation, the women’s struggle is very strong, and it is a struggle that knows very well that women are oppressed twice over in the face of hardships. Accordingly, the women’s movement has embraced peace wholeheartedly. Of course, the question now is: what can we do in this process to accelerate it and to ensure that concrete steps are taken?”
Adoption of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” slogan is a strong example
Yılmaz highlighted the need to speak more about peace and a shared struggle and continued as follows: “We may need to talk about this issue more, and in fact, there should be a call for concrete steps. The end of war and the arrival of peace will open the way for women to achieve equality. Not only for women, but for everyone, for the whole of society, it means opening the path to equality. That is why we embrace this process wholeheartedly and stand firmly behind it.
Speaking from the perspective of our own struggle, we have always stood side by side with the Kurdish women’s movement. We have always embraced the Kurdish movement as well. In this sense, as I said, we also embrace peace and I believe we are ready. Women are at the forefront of this struggle and have always been so. There are many forms of struggle that we have learned from the Kurdish women’s movement. I believe that the women’s movement in Turkey is ready to confront this reality. For example, the adoption of the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) is a clear example.”
Struggle will move forward side by side
Yılmaz noted that there are also those within the women’s movement in Turkey who oppose the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî,” but said that the majority of the movement has now embraced and taken ownership of it. She said: “There are women’s movements in Turkey that oppose it, but the stronger position is the one that embraces it. No matter what happens in that square, the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ is chanted. Or, as a recent example, the sharing of hair-braiding videos. I think the majority of the women’s movement in Turkey also embraced that. We embraced it as well. That is why I believe this struggle will move forward side by side.
Of course, nationalist movements, meaning Turkish nationalism, are also very widespread, but we are already trying to overcome this within the women’s struggle. I believe we have made progress, and I think the beginning of this process will contribute positively to that. Truly, no matter what happens, thousands of women there, on March 8 and November 25, chant the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ and will continue to do so. In this sense, I do not think there is a contradiction between those who are struggling.”
Women in Turkey have not confronted Kurdish women’s experiences
Yılmaz said that the majority of women in Turkey have not confronted what Kurdish women have experienced, stressing that this can be overcome through struggle. She said: “Most women in Turkey have not faced what Kurds have lived through because the national movement and Turkish nationalism are very widespread in Turkey. Unfortunately, there is a practice of a dominant nation there. That is why there is, of course, a segment that does not understand. But as women within the struggle, we are already trying to overcome this. One of the most cited examples is Fatma Altınmakas, a woman who was neglected and died because there was no one who spoke Kurdish. By multiplying such examples, we must find ways to explain this to women in Turkey who do not understand or do not want to understand.”
Yılmaz stated that the women’s movement in Turkey has made significant progress in building common ground with Kurdish women and concluded with the following remarks: “As I said, I think we have made good progress so far. Of course, there are still those who oppose it, but this is not something limited only to the women’s movement. In general, there is a widespread problem of nationalism across all movements, and if you follow nationalism, you cannot see the problems experienced by Kurdish women.
We are already trying to address this problem of nationalism as a whole. As this process moves forward and as concrete steps are taken by the state, and as the issue of peace with the Kurdish movement develops further, nationalism will inevitably weaken and recede. Of course, the space for us to share examples like Fatma Altınmakas will expand. Even nationalist women in Turkey who do not accept this will begin to understand it more. And we will continue to speak about these issues. I am not without hope in this matter.”
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