Memihan Zeydan

 

WAN/MÛŞ - Commenting on the increasing number of killings of women, women emphasized that the biggest reason for the increase is impunity policies, referring to the judicial system. Pointing out that the freedom of society depends on women's freedom, the women called for “Let's fight under the banner of Women's Liberation Ideology.”

 

The killings of women in Turkey and Kurdistan continue unabated. Perpetrators, rewarded with impunity policies, continue to be protected by the judiciary. Due to increasing male violence, at least one woman is murdered every day by a man close to her. According to available data, 281 women were murdered in the first six months of 2025.

 

Women commenting on the increase in femicides pointed to the judiciary as the cause of the killings. 

 

‘They don't grant women the right to life’

 

Bircan Demir states that the male understanding of “honor” lies at the root of female murders, saying, "Women are seen only as slaves. They feel no compassion when killing women. They don't see women as human beings. They see them as objects. Half of the world is female, and women bring the other half into the world. Yet we inflict violence and murder on the other half we bring into the world. They do not grant women the right to live. In addition to physical violence, psychological violence is also inflicted. Women's murders brought to court are also acquitted by the judiciary. Because the judiciary is also male. They enter through the front door and exit through the back door. We are faced with a judiciary that sides with men." 

 

‘Women are dying, men are not being prosecuted’

 

Drawing attention to the fact that male violence permeates every area of life, Bircan Demir said, “There are men who even abuse animals. Because they are not prosecuted and punished, they continue to commit crimes. However, no deterrent punishment is being imposed. Even the minister of this country is making statements that legitimize violence. He brings it down to ‘the woman deserved it.’ The judicial system is not independent. Women are dying, men are not being prosecuted. As long as this continues, the massacre of women will continue. As the women's movement and as women, let's expose this violence everywhere and intensify the struggle. Violence is increasing day by day. To put a stop to this, the women's movement needs to engage in a stronger struggle." 

 

“The freedom of society depends on the freedom of women.”

 

Çiçek Tutuş, Co-Chair of the Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Mûş Province, noted that the massacre of women concerns not only women but all segments of society, saying, "The leadership says that the 21st century will be the century of women. Yet, in a century that should be as the Leadership describes, women are being murdered every day. The murder of women actually shows the state of society. The freedom of society is tied to the freedom of women. Some are murdered in the streets, some in their homes. This is an indication of the state of society."

 

‘Let us fight under the banner of Women’s Liberation Ideology’

 

Pointing out that social pressure needs to be built, Çiçek Tutuş stated that the judiciary continues in this manner because society remains silent. Underlining that the judiciary wields its power against those who express their opinions in society, Çiçek Tutuş said, "However, the mentality that kills women is subject to a policy of impunity. Muş is a place where a feudal system persists. Just think, they are not even allowed to come to the party headquarters. A struggle must be waged within the framework of the Women's Liberation Ideology. Women, who are ignored in society, are actually the pioneers of society. We are faced with a mentality that confines women to the home. We are faced with a situation where women are not accepted in any area of life. When women protest, they face the threat of massacre." 

 

‘Women are each other’s homeland’

 

Drawing attention to the recent increase in massacres targeting women, DEM Party Artemêt (Edremit) District Co-Chair Sevim Baş said, “Women face violence, harassment, and massacres. There are also unsolved murders of women. Women should not remain silent when they are subjected to harassment and violence. We may not even be aware of many murders of women. They should share the violence they are subjected to with other women and show solidarity. They can apply to women's institutions and request the necessary support from them. As is well known, Turkey withdrew from the Istanbul Convention. We want it to be reinstated. We women become stronger when we join hands. Women are each other's homeland."

 

'Deterrent penalties should be imposed'

 

Sevim Baş stated that even though women who are subjected to violence apply to official institutions, no measures are taken, saying, “We see it every day, women seek refuge in the state, but the violence continues. Their requests for protection are not met, and they live in constant fear. They live in fear of being killed at any moment. Deterrent penalties should be imposed to stop violence.”