Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak introduced the reactivated “Alo Domestic Violence Hotline”, which will provide uninterrupted multilingual service 24/7, saying: “We promise to further develop this work across all 17 districts.”

The “Alo Domestic Violence Hotline”, launched by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality in 2015 to support women who have experienced violence, are under threat of violence, or who seek counselling services, but which was closed during the period of state-appointed trustees, has now been reopened.

The launch event, organised by the Department of Women and Family Services, was held at Çand Amed Culture and Congress Centre. The event was attended by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak, district municipality co-mayors, Özden Gürbüz Sümer (Head of the Department of Women and Family Services), Zerin Türk (Deputy Chief Executive of DBB), Demet Ceylan (Co-Spokesperson of the DBB Council), DEM Party Diyarbakır MP Sevilay Çelenk, as well as representatives of women’s organisations and many women.

‘A Demonstration of Commitment, Not Just a Service’

Speaking at the opening of the programme, Özden Gürbüz Sümer, Head of the Department of Women and Family Services, stated that they had taken yet another step in expanding and strengthening the struggle against violence towards women. She emphasised that the hotline not only provides a service but also demonstrates determination in the fight against violence, adding: “We are here to share with you the reconstruction in this field.”

‘We're coming back stronger than ever’

Gürbüz Sümer explained that Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality has carried forward its institutional practices against discrimination arising from gender inequality and all forms of violence against women, guided by a women’s liberationist perspective and a legacy of 24 years. She added: “Although this deeply rooted struggle was interrupted for a time under state-appointed trustees, it continues from where it left off, stronger than before.”

Multilingual 24/7 Helpline

Özden Gürbüz Sümer explained that the Alo Domestic Violence Hotline — available on 444 36 21 — will provide uninterrupted, multilingual service 24/7 with a specialised team trained in the field. She noted that the hotline will offer guidance, counselling, emergency support and referral services to all women who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence, whether physical, psychological, economic, digital or sexual. Gürbüz Sümer added that all applications would be kept confidential and that no woman seeking help would ever feel alone.

‘We Have the Strength to Confront Violence’

Speaking at the event, Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak stated that, within the reconstruction process carried out over the past one and a half years, they were now launching a significant initiative. She said: “Of course, we would wish not to have to establish such a hotline, but unfortunately this is our reality; a reality we face every day and every hour. Yet we all have the strength to confront it. We are here against an approach that has cost us ten years and distanced women from access mechanisms, and we will weave this struggle even stronger.”

Co-Mayor Bucak stressed that this initiative should not be seen solely as a project of DBB, adding: “We, as women, as part of the organised women’s struggle, and together with all our colleagues working in the field of women’s rights, are all part of this effort; it belongs to all of us.”

She emphasised that the understanding of local government prioritising gender equality began in 2001 with the establishment of women’s solidarity centres. Thanking all the women who had contributed to the struggle so far, she said: “This is an important legacy; a turning point that reminds us of the struggle we are part of.” Co-Mayor Bucak recalled that with the appointment of state trustees all women’s centres had been shut down, noting that although the women’s struggle continued in the field through national and international collaborations, women were kept away from public mechanisms during this period and there were setbacks in the fight against violence.

‘The Hotline Will Serve the Entire Region’

Co-Mayor Bucak stated that the hotline would serve not only Diyarbakır but the wider region as well, adding: “As we launched the campaign ‘Our Word is Not Over, We Will Stop Violence Together’, we placed great importance on the need to visit, to see and to prioritise direct counselling and solidarity mechanisms. We promise that, starting with DİKASUM, we will further expand this work across all 17 districts. When the anniversary of this campaign arrives, we will also launch new campaigns.”

Following the speeches, a video presentation was shown highlighting the women’s initiatives of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality.