WAN – Women’s organizations in Wan have launched a campaign titled “We organize to live and let live” to defend women’s rights and shed light on suspicious deaths of women. “We are fighting to be a voice and a breath for women,” said Meryema Aslan, director of the Star Women’s Association, one of the campaign organizers.
The campaign, which began on September 15, brings together 11 civil society and women’s organizations, including the Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA), Star Women’s Association, Human Rights Media Association (İHAMED), Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), Human Rights Association (İHD), Wan Bar Association Women’s Rights Center, Women’s Assembly of Local Governments, Evin Women’s Cooperative, TMMOB Women’s Commission, and KESK Women’s Assembly.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL RUN UNTIL NOVEMBER 25
Aslan stated that the campaign will continue until the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25. “In just one week, four women in Wan died under suspicious circumstances, and two others are still receiving treatment in hospital,” she said. “We launched this initiative to build a lasting line of resistance, not just an individual reaction.”
Referring to the case of Rojin Kabaiş, Aslan said: “Rojin was killed under suspicious circumstances, and her case remains unresolved. We dedicated the first two weeks of the campaign to her.” She criticized the authorities for labeling suspicious women’s deaths as suicides or dismissing them due to “lack of evidence.” “This culture of impunity has become systematic,” she added.
‘WOMEN ARE STRONGER TOGETHER’
Alongside awareness efforts, the campaign provides legal, health, psychological, and educational support. “We will be more active in the field,” Aslan said. “We are introducing women to legal mechanisms, explaining Law No. 6284, and conducting health screenings in under-served areas.”
Calling on women to take part, Aslan said: “We invite women to join our panels, workshops, and street actions. Every participant gives us strength, because women are stronger together. We can defend our rights collectively.”
She emphasized that Wan is a region where special warfare policies and male-dominated violence are deeply entrenched. “We are showing that women are not alone or without solutions. We want to guide them and prove that all support channels exist,” she said. “We are fighting to be a voice and breath for women.”
A CALL TO WOMEN
Highlighting that many women are unaware of their basic rights, Aslan continued: “We have reached a point where we wake up to news of femicides almost every day. We no longer want to wait in front of forensic institutions. Behind every woman’s death, there is a ‘suspicious’ situation. Even when a woman dies by suicide, there is a chain of events that led her there. We call on everyone to be the voice of those women and to join us in this campaign.”
MA / Ozlem Yacan