Thousands of Women Take Streets on March 8

Thousands of women flocked to Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue to attend the 13^th Istanbul Reclaim the Night Feminist March last night. 

One of the most crowded marches in the past years, the annual walk was dedicated to March 8 International Working Women's Day. 

Similarly with other marches during the day, several announcements were made to invite men “out of the main parade”. Some of the other slogans chanted throughout the night included “Long live our feminist struggle”, We are not keeping silent, we are not afraid, we are not submitting”. The crowd marched until Tunnel Square in downtown Istanbul where groups danced with songs in Kurdish and Turkish.   

“Women resist everywhere”

A bilingual press statement in Turkish and Kurdish has been read aloud, reminding of women’s struggle against pressures in every aspect of life. 

“Despite all the efforts to stop, AKP’s nightmare is coming true,” the statement said, referring to soaring divorce rates in the country as well as official domestic violence complaints from 82K in 2013 to 118K in 2014. 

Feminists also slammed the government’s policy to launch “motherhood” as a career. “The decision on our life is ours,” the statement said. 

The statement also went on to mention the “de facto abortion ban” in Turkey on the reluctance to perform abortions in public hospitals according to a telephone research by Mor Çatı Association. It also reminded that the health ministry authorities called Mor Çatı officials a “liar” instead of preventing the reluctance. 

Lastly, the statement mentioned the role of women fighters in Kobane resistance against ISIS as well as those who are forced to kill their male aggressors to defends themselves. 

“Feminism hatred dispersed by the president”

Feminist women also cited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in their statement, saying that he was among those who disperse hatred on feminism.   

“Feminism, first of all, requires women to take hold of their lives. No matter they call themselves feminist or not, feminism affects all women’s lives.

“By organizing more women every day, by transforming their own lives, feminist movement is gaining strength, a feminist struggle is taking shape. There is no way back for feminists, for womemn.” (ÇT/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.