Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality has organised a seminar for its women employees to mark 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

As part of activities aimed at raising awareness of violence against women on 25 November, the Department of Women’s and Family Services held a seminar for women staff of the municipality. At the event, which took place in the Municipal Council Chamber, İrem İlhan, a representative of the Women’s Rights Centre of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, delivered a presentation on “Violence against Women”, “Forms of Violence” and the Law on the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women (Law No. 6284).

In her presentation on types of violence, İlhan drew particular attention to the recent rise in cases of digital violence. She then went on to explain Law No. 6284, stressing that the law applies not only to women who have been subjected to violence, but also to women at risk of violence, as well as family members and children. Highlighting that one of the key features distinguishing Law No. 6284 from other legal regulations is that applicants are not required to submit evidence or documentation at the time of application, İlhan underlined that, if effectively implemented, the law has the potential to prevent many incidents of violence and femicide.

Following the presentation, Head of the Department of Women’s and Family Services Özden Gürbüz Sümer emphasised the importance of existing mechanisms in the fight against violence against women and underlined that women who are subjected to violence or at risk of violence can always contact the department.