​​​​​​​Cicek: Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul agreement not to end women's struggle

As a result of the policies of the AKP and the MHP against women, women in northern Kurdistan and Turkey are subjected to murder, rape, and all kinds of violence on a daily basis.

In the northern Kurdistan and turkey 36 women killed and 11 lost their lives in June / on men hands.

The ruling AKP and MHP have been discussing for a period of time the withdrawal from the Istanbul agreement, on this matter, Meral Cicek, member of the Kurdish Women Relationships (REPAK ) spoke to our agency

States that signed on the agreement have to implement it

Cicak touched on the women role in Istanbul Agreement," women in Turley played a crucial role in determining the level of the agreement that oppose violence against women and protect its rights. This international agreement also defines the countries commitments towards violence, that is why countries that have signed the agreement, have to implement it." She said.

Turkish state wants to use the agreement as a tool

She stated that there is a problem in face of this agreement, saying," one of the slogans of turkey's campaigns is, " implement my agreement". The AKP and MHP haven’t abided by this agreement for 10 years. They wanted to use it for their own interests, the same mentality was followed by the AKP in the Peace Process, women' rights and freedom. Countries that signed the agreement must include its items in their resolutions and search for the violence sources. As this any of this agreement items have not been in force in Turkey."

She noted that violence escalated against women the recent years, adding" in this stage of AKP's rule, violence increased 1400 %, women are killed on daily basis by their men. According to 2019 data, 474 women killed in northern Kurdistan and Turkey in a year period. This clearly show the repercussions of the Turkish state policies in not abiding by the agreement."

They go on their fascism by targeting women

Cicek said that " Istanbul Agreement is an achievement for women. AKP and MHP

Target these achievements, this opposition must be defined as systematic war and genocide against women. It is pursued in all parts of Kurdistan as it came in force in the occupied Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spi, ISIS did what the Turkish state does in Turkey and northern Turkey in pressuring the women activists and organizations in a systematic whole scale war against women.

They want to mute women voice and keep them away from the struggle, as they view women as the leading force in the struggle, what Istanbul Agreement stipulates and Turkey does are completely contradictory, when they don’t abide by it, they organize men mentality."

There are chances for the co-struggle

Cicek stated that this agreement came into being due to women' struggle

In Turkey. Now they want to hatch against it officially so it can easily follow the anti-women policies , saying " The AKP  works on basis of fraternity rules, its policies justifies violence against women consequently it tries to make it acceptable for women, so putting the agreement into force is the right way and solution. But it is very clear it is hard for Turkish mentality to practically implement it. Even though Turkish states withdraw of the agreement, it won't put an end to women's struggle, so they have to fight together for their gains, this stage give birth to the co-struggle."

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ANHA