Male-dominated states, shaped by a monolithic and sexist mindset, marginalize women and isolate them from society. Throughout history, women who have struggled for their rights have therefore taken the lead in the fight for democracy across the world, particularly in the Middle East.
Şafak Erkmen Özanli, President of the STAR Women’s Association, spoke to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about the role of women in the struggle for democracy.
The status of women is the status of democracy
Özanli told MA that Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan bases his perspective on the paradigm of the democratic nation. She added: “The reason for this is the monolithic nature of the nation-state. When we look at the understanding of statist nations, we see an approach that entirely defends uniformity, first denying women and then completely exploiting the labor of peasants and workers. For this reason, as the peoples of the Middle East, we need to defend and embrace the paradigm of the democratic nation.”
Özanli emphasized that in the absence of democracy, women are stripped of their identity and rendered vulnerable to violence. Özanli said: “Regardless of whether in the workplace or at home, women are exposed to various forms of violence and are even killed. In a place where democracy exists, such a system against women can never be sustained. Because women in such an environment possess their rights and carry out their own struggles. They are able to strengthen their organization. In particular, women do not face impunity in cases of femicide, harassment, and rape. We say that Turkey is a democratic country, but there is nothing that proves this from the perspective of women. If Turkey were truly a democratic country, women would have a status in the fields of employment and the economy. In a place where democracy exists, progress is made toward justice and the rule of law.”
Economic independence
Özanli underlined that one of the reasons behind femicides is the lack of economic independence for women. She emphasized the need to strengthen organized spaces for women and said: “Organized platforms must be strengthened. The policy of impunity in cases of femicide must be abolished, and safe protection and living spaces for women need to be established. Relentless wars are being waged in the Middle East. If the countries in the region were democratic, women would not be the primary targets in these wars. The clearest example of this can be seen in Palestine. These actions are carried out by countries that speak of democracy but never truly embody it. From the perspective of women, democracy and democratization must be achieved immediately. Today, the side that should most strongly defend democracy is once again women. The process initiated by Mr. Öcalan on February 27 represents an opportunity for women to embrace and expand their struggle.”
Gender equality is essential
Özanli underlined the importance of introducing gender equality courses in schools and said: “We can see that the education system offered to us provides no real benefit to society when a judge kills a prosecutor or when a member of law enforcement kills a woman. A gender equality course is one of the most necessary elements for this society. We can only dismantle this system by educating our children.”
Organized women are being targeted
Özanli stressed that the patriarchal system has excluded women throughout history. She said: “Conscious and organized women are being targeted. Today, they attempt to label and suppress women’s organization by singling out conscious women. This mindset must change. Women are not protected in the face of violence. From their living spaces to the economic sphere, women must achieve their own liberation.”
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