The Free Women's Movement (TJA) launched its programme of actions and events for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November in Siverek, Şanlıurfa. Women gathered at Kanlıkuyu Park on Hürriyet Avenue and marched to Lezgo Park, chanting slogans, ululating and applauding along the way.

The march was attended by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan, DEM Party Diyarbakır Provincial Co-Chair Fatime Üzül Levent, district mayors, representatives of women's organisations and DEM Party MPs.

Women killed by violence commemorated

Following the march, a press statement was issued commemorating all women whose lives had been cut short by male and state violence, from the Mirabal sisters, who were murdered on 25 November 1960 while resisting the dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, to the present day. The statement stressed the importance of strengthening the struggle and underlined that women are not alone.

‘We will strengthen women's solidarity’

The statement called on women to organise and stand together, saying:

“This 25 November, we will continue to organise, from house to house and street to street, against the male-dominated system and male violence. We will strengthen women's solidarity and work to build a society free from violence through our own strength and will. Our call goes out to all women: come, let us organise together and work collectively to build lasting peace and a free and equal life.”