Women are going to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, as they do every year. They are strengthening their organization against the increasing violence against women in Kurdistan, Turkey and the world. This year, they continue to work on the streets with the slogan "Jin, jiyan, Azadî".

Women in Amed spoke to ANF about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

'The Istanbul convention should be reinstated'

Hasret Yorulmaz: Impunity causes people to resort to violence. The Istanbul Convention needs to be reinstated as soon as possible, because it is a convention that protects women and children when fully implemented. Turkey has never implemented it. An assembly should be established for women's and children's rights and work should be carried out in this area. Women should support and protect each other in every field. The number of Women's Protection Centers in particular needs to be increased. We grew up in a male-dominated society and continue to live in this society. It is very common for women to suffer violence in such a society. We need to change this mentality as soon as possible. We, as women, must fight. We must destroy the male-dominated society and increase women's awareness.

'There is a dictatorship in this country. No one has a say'

Gülay Aktağ: I think there is a project ubehind violence against women. There are very big powers behind this. Unfortunately, we cannot sit in front of the TV and remain calm. On the one hand, women appear to be supported, but on the other hand, there is a very violent situation. Therefore, while women appear to be protected, unfortunately they are also being harmed a lot. There must be a solution to this. There is actually a very simple solution, but they are not implementing it. They say violence against women should be investigated, but they don’t do it. Why? Because all of this is a project. They are trying to destroy this country from the inside, they are trying to change it completely. Unfortunately, there is a dictatorship in Turkey right now, and since it is a one-man regime, no one has a say. Since all the power is in their hands, women are being exploited.

‘Violence against women is not being prevented’

Ilknur Çoban: Violence and murders against women scare us. These things can happen to us too. We live in fear of this. We need to educate our children properly from a young age. If we convey the right message to our children, we will be able to prevent negative things to some extent. Every time we turn on the TV, we come across a femicide. This is really sad.

Hayriye Seri: Unfortunately, women are subjected to violence. Women are seen as weak individuals in society. All women should stand on their own feet and fight alone. In this way, everyone would respect women. Due to the impunity or short sentences given to the perpetrators, violence against women is increasing every day.