Women Took the Streets Against Violence

Women gathered at the Abide-i Hurriyet Square in Istanbul on the Women's Day on March 8. On the women's agenda were the honor crimes, economic difficulties and amendments to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) in line with women's demands.

The women started gathering at Piyalepasa at 10:30 in the morning. They began marching from Caglayan at 12:30 p.m.

Standing at attention to show respect for honor crime victims

Before the demonstrations, the women stood at attention to show respect for each victim of honor crimes and those women who lost their lives in their fight for women's rights. They stood at attention for a minute for each victim beginning with Clara Zetkin.

Speeches and announcements were made both in Turkish and Kurdish during the demonstration. Singer Aynur sang Kurdish songs.

Besides women who attended the demonstration in local outfits and colorful banners, there were also women who wore black to draw attention to honor crimes and violence against women.

During the demonstration, the women drew attention to the sexual, economic, physical and emotional violence directed at women at the workplace, at home, at school, and on the streets.

Slogans and banners

Women held banners that read: "Tradition is shooting, state is protecting", "No to honor crimes", "We will not be anyone's honor", "We want our flower", "No to violence and wars", "Women's organized strength will stop the pain" and"No to beating, harassment, rape."

They chanted slogans such as, "Work, labor, freedom", "We want day-care centers at every office" and "Who cares about disobedience in the kitchen, I carry the load of the world on my shoulders," to draw attention to the economic difficulties and problems women have at the workplace.

"Freedom to Leyla Zana", "Wake up, resist, be free", "rapist police will pay" and "No to isolation," were other slogans the women chanted.

Organizations like the pro-Kurdish Democratic People's Party (DEHAP), Social Democrat People's Party (SHP), Labor's Party (EMEP), Solidarity Association for Families of Prisoners (TAYAD), Pir Sultan Abdal Association, AMARGI Women's Academy and Peace Mothers had representatives at the demonstration, which was also attended by men. (BB/EA/NM)