HDP Co-Chair Pervin Buldan and HDP Women's Council Spokesperson Ayşe Acar Başaran visited the earthquake-ravaged province of Hatay as part of the 8 March International Women's Day programme. In the district of Defne, the HDP politicians and members of the Free Women's Movement (TJA) met with activists from the Democratic Students' Council (DÖM). Pervin Buldan made a statement in front of a women's tent set up by the DÖM for the earthquake victims.

"This year we mark 8 March with mourning. What is in the foreground on 8 March this year is our grief, our pain, our anger, but also our solidarity. That is why we are here today. From day one, women everywhere in the earthquake zone have been in solidarity to stand by those affected and heal their wounds together. From the first moment, everyone said only one thing: where are those who govern this country? The question was always the same. But they were not there. We all saw it and can testify. They were not there, but we were there, we women were everywhere. The HDP was everywhere, our Women's Council, our Youth Council, feminists, people who stand up for women's freedom and strengthen solidarity in this country. This unity is very precious, despite everything, despite the great pain and the many victims," said the HDP co-chair and thanked everyone "who built a bridge between sisters. It is a precious bridge that will never be destroyed."

PURPLE TRUCKS FOR WOMEN'S BASIC NEEDS

Buldan referred to the "Purple Trucks" that bring relief supplies collected by women to the earthquake zone: "The Purple Trucks are on their way to deliver all the material you need. They were on the road the first day, they are on the road today, and they will be on the road tomorrow to meet your needs. Women don't have special needs. They have basic needs. They need sanitary pads and underwear. These are basic needs. Those who govern this country must take appropriate action. They must supply these materials to the earthquake victims. That is what we are here for."

"NO ONE SHOULD TRY TO CHANGE THE AGENDA"

In her speech, the HDP co-chair stressed that the consequences of the earthquake remain the most important issue in Turkey: "We want to say to all those who want to change Turkey's agenda that no one will be able to do so. We will not allow the wounds and pain of the earthquake to be forgotten. There may be those who want to change the agenda and make us forget what happened. There may be those who do not want to express the needs of the earthquake victims. But we know that tents and water are still needed in this city and other places, and women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly have special needs. No one should try to change the agenda to suit themselves."

"WE WILL SEND THIS GOVERNMENT AWAY"

The HDP is ready to take any responsibility to make the AKP/MHP government disappear, Pervin Buldan said: "Nobody in this country can tolerate this government anymore. Nobody can forget what happened during and after the earthquake. Those who are driving people to despair will disappear through the strength of women. They will be held accountable. The women will send them away. As long as women stand together, we will see together that it is time for this government to go."