The Women's Initiative I Need Peace will gather at Güven Park on 8 July at 10.00 am local time and march to the Parliament to demand that the Parliament take responsibility for the process being carried out in the context of the solution of the Kurdish issue. Women from many provinces of Kurdistan and Turkey will participate in the march.

 

PEACE COMMISSION

 

Speaking about the march, Fatma Koçyiğit, a member of the Women's Initiative I Need Peace, said that the Parliament should take responsibility and establish a "Peace Commission". 

Stating that women have been playing an active role in the struggle for peace for many years, Fatma Koçyiğit said: "The women's movement in Turkey, the Kurdish women's movement and the feminist movement are uniting in a common search for peace for a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. Especially in the recent period, starting from 1 October 2024, when the interlocutors entered the negotiation process, women are intensifying their work for the socialisation of peace. As seen in world examples, it is difficult to establish and maintain peace without the participation of women." 

 

Stating that women from all over Kurdistan and Turkey will participate in the march, Fatma Koçyiğit said, "In this event, we aim for a rich representation with the participation of women from different ethnic origins, beliefs and ideologies. This meeting, which will also include groups that have paid the price such as the Peace Mothers, aims to show the diversity and strength of the women's movement."

 

3 BASIC DEMANDS

 

Fatma Koçyiğit stated that the I Need Peace Initiative has three basic demands that need to be fulfilled, and listed them as follows:

 

*Abolition of the Anti-Terror Law (TMK): The Anti-Terror Law (TMK) restricts freedom of expression by leading to investigations even for the smallest post or press release. The way for democratic participation of politics and society should be paved.

 

* Release of ill prisoners: Prisoners held in prisons in violation of ECHR judgements and injustices in execution regulations must be eliminated. Ill prisoners should be released as soon as possible. 

 

* End the kayyum (trustee) policy: Trustees are destroying especially women’s social spaces and their gains in local governments. Women’s social projects such as tandoori houses are being eliminated. Local governments governed from a women's perspective enable women to participate in social life in a safe and active manner, and are a usurpation of the will of the people.

 

CALL TO WALK

 

Calling for the socialisation of peace, "We need peace, not holidays," said Fatma Kocyigit and added: "Let's shout 'Parliament on duty, women for peace'. As women, despite the atmosphere of fear and anxiety, we will not be silent, we will raise our voices against authoritarian regimes and we will not give up the struggle for the socialisation of peace."