Elîf Berk: Women's self-defense starts with organization

Speaking to ANHA Agency, Elîf Berk addressed the concept of rape culture, the mechanisms of the patriarchal system, and the means of resisting it. She noted: "When we speak of rape, it is often understood in its most direct and brutal form—sexual exploitation and rape committed by men against hundreds of women every day. While that is indeed part of it, rape culture encompasses much more. It has become a normalized daily phenomenon based on the concept of possessing women. This idea of possession extends into all other types of relationships. The Arabic word for rape connotes the act of crossing boundaries. When someone crosses another’s boundaries, it means they do not recognize the other’s will—they break it."

 "Rape culture originates from mentality of possession and domination"

 Berk explained that in today's world, women's agency is routinely disregarded. Women remain subject to the authority of their fathers, brothers, and husbands. Their will is violated on a daily basis by men, and they face various forms of violence—be it physical, psychological, economic, or sexual. She noted that rape has become an entrenched feature of society.

 "This is why Leader Abdullah Ocalan described this culture as one that must be destroyed and transformed—it is not a culture that can be accepted or coexisted with. Its roots trace back to the rise of power, hierarchy, and the mentality of possession."

 She added that: "The history of the patriarchal system is fundamentally built upon violence. This system entrenched itself through violence and forced women to accept it through coercion and repression. Women who resisted the boundaries imposed on them were arrested, humiliated, and devalued. Their dignity was undermined. In effect, the structure and degradation of women progressed in parallel. Even before the emergence of modern nation-states, this can be observed in the laws of the Sumerians and Hammurabi—laws that still resonate today."

 "Initially, the rights and responsibilities of women and men were not so different. But over time, women’s rights gradually diminished. For instance, when a crime was committed, the punishment for women was often harsher than for men."

 "The history of patriarchy is built on violence"

 Berk continued: "If we consider inheritance, women's share and rights in legal systems have always been less than men's. Temples were once built in ancient times, and priestesses—who played roles akin to deities—were central to society. But gradually, their roles diminished, and many of these women were transformed into prostitutes."

 "Thus, we see how women’s space became increasingly restricted—not only socially and economically but also in terms of religion and sacredness. Women's roles became more confined, while men's roles expanded. Even in defining his own role, the man reduces the status and value of women. A woman's value is reduced to a matter of honor—honor that is tied to her gender. The honor and dignity of a man or his family becomes bound to a woman’s body. And so, women’s boundaries are defined—from society, to the home, to the temple, and finally to her own body."

 Elîf Berk drew attention to the mythological and theological phases of history, stating that the first and second major defeats of women began with the rise of monotheistic religions—and that this process of subjugation continues to this day.

 She explained: “Looking at the era of capitalism, we see that women are subjected to control in every aspect—from their hair to their fingernails. They are unable to act naturally or freely but are instead compelled to conform to the expectations of society, men, and the system.”

 Culture of Sati

 Berk made the point clear “Leader Abdullah Ocalan describes the transition of women from the status of divinity to the confines of the household as the true story of the birth and construction of womanhood. There is a famous quote by Simone de Beauvoir: ‘One is not born a woman, but rather becomes one.’ The most destructive form of violence is ideological violence. While there are physical, economic, and external forms of violence, ideological violence detaches women from their essence and renders them subordinate to men.”

“Take, for example, the Sati tradition in India: when a woman's husband dies, she is expected—if she is deemed ‘honorable’—to commit suicide. This practice is known as the Sati culture. Variations of this mentality exist in our region as well. For instance, if a man's wife dies, he is free to start a new life. But if a woman loses her husband, she is often unable to live freely, constantly monitored, judged, and denied a normal life. Unfortunately, within our culture too, there are places where widowed women are forced to marry their deceased husband’s brother.”

 “This mentality is also prevalent among young women today. They dress and act according to the wishes of their boyfriend or husband, becoming shadows of men—and some even take pride in being so. In patriarchal thinking, the ‘ideal woman’ is one who listens to her husband and stays within her prescribed limits. These limits may differ in scope, but the core idea remains: a woman must not exceed the boundaries imposed upon her.”

 The Current Situation Is Extremely Dangerous”

 Berk emphasized the gravity of the current situation by saying, “On one hand, women are subjected to brutal killings, rape, and sexual violence. On the other, they are erased and ignored, transformed—often unconsciously—into mere shadows of men. That is why the struggle against rape culture must be both ideological and institutional. We must become conscious of this reality, reclaim our power, and gain the strength to rise up. This requires debate, awareness, and education.”

 “At the institutional level, women must be able to rely on and participate in strong organizations. This vital struggle demands practical measures: self-protection and self-defense must be enhanced through the development of women's organizations. Organization enables mutual support among women and dismantles the mentality that women must struggle alone.”

 Referring to the July 19 Revolution, Berk concluded:  “With the Rojava Revolution, the role of women has expanded significantly. The more this role grows, the more it becomes a source of strength not only for women but also for society. There must be institutional organization at the legal level, and schools must provide children with lessons and methods to help them recognize and challenge gender discrimination—and to communicate what they learn to their families.”

 a.k

ANHA