Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality and the district municipalities have launched the series of events to be held as part of 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with a gathering in front of the Rojin Kabaiş Solidarity Centre.

The Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of Women’s and Family Services, in cooperation with the district municipalities, has kicked off the programme of events to mark 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The first stop in the series of activities to be held under the slogan “Our word is not over for a life without violence, we will stop violence together” was the Rojin Kabaiş Solidarity Centre in Bağlar district.

The statement was attended by Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak, DBB Assembly Co-Spokesperson Demet Ceylan, assembly members, Head of the Department of Women’s and Family Services Özden Gürbüz Sümer, district municipality co-mayors and representatives of women’s organisations.

‘Violence against women is systematic and political’

The statement was read out by Rozerin Doğar from Bağlar Municipality’s Women’s Policies Directorate. Stressing that violence targeting women’s right to life is not coincidental but a systematic, political and patriarchal attack, Doğar said: “Femicides, suspicious deaths of women and policies of impunity are the result of an order that excludes women from public life, renders their labour invisible and denies their will.”

‘We will meet with women in all districts of Diyarbakır’

Stating that they will meet with women in all districts of Diyarbakır, Doğar underlined that women’s meetings and awareness activities to be held in the city centre, neighbourhoods, villages and residential areas will strengthen solidarity, hope and organised struggle against violence.

‘We will build a democratic life led by women’

Doğar noted that, as the “Our Word Is Not Over – We Will Stop Violence Together” campaign enters its second year, they aim to strengthen social solidarity against attacks on women’s right to life and to build a democratic, ecological and equal life under women’s leadership. She continued:

“The Violence Hotline (ALO Şiddet Hattı) has been re-activated so that women can receive direct support whenever they need it. Women’s Solidarity Centres that were closed during the period of government-appointed trustees (kayyım) have been reopened and strengthened through women’s own will. Through Women’s Meetings and Women’s Labour Meetings, women have come together in the economic, social and political spheres. Awareness-raising activities have been carried out in parks and public spaces. Training programmes on combating violence, gender equality and awareness have been organised within the municipalities. Production workshops, vocational training programmes and solidarity networks supporting women’s economic independence have been launched. Through educational activities for women, their empowerment in legal, psychological and social awareness has been supported.”

Doğar concluded by stating that they will continue to struggle for a life free from violence and based on freedom.

Awareness leaflets handed out on Nükhet Coşkun Street

Following the statement, a short video presentation was shown, providing contact information for the municipalities’ solidarity centres and referral mechanisms. After the screening, the Co-Mayors held a march along Nükhet Coşkun Street, distributing stickers and leaflets to shopkeepers to raise awareness about violence against women.