Women imprisoned in Izmir Şakran Women's Closed Prison shared their views on violence against women and methods of struggle against it in a letter sent to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) on the occasion of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

 

In the letter titled "Let's defend ourselves with the philosophy of Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)", the letter stated: "We welcome the week of the fight against violence against women in an atmosphere where violence is rampant. We are experiencing the burning consequences of the 3rd World War, which is being waged in 'modern' style and forms according to the standards of the space and science age, spread over time and unnamed. We are confronted with the phenomenon of increasing violence in parallel with the intensifying war. We are in search of a solution in a reality where violence as a form of self-existence of oppressive, totalitarian, fascist dictatorial and masculinist regimes continues itself with social moral collapse. Violence as a means of self-expression of the society, which is left without struggle in the created crisis and chaos environment, tends to dominate over those whom it considers weak in character."

 

'ATTACK ON WOMEN IS IDEOLOGICAL'

 

The letter emphasised that the attacks against women are ideological and included the following statements: 

"As the first oppressed sex, class and nation, we must analyse well the ground where violence against women is normalised and legitimised. The attacks against the material and spiritual world of women are ideological. Therefore, it requires ideological struggle. As women, our physical-spiritual integrity is under harassment and rape from moment to moment by racist, sexist, nationalist masculine regimes. Violence is a phenomenon that corrupts the moral-political fabric created by women. The determination that 'society cannot be liberated without the liberation of women' is important for the solution. This situatin is also a description of the conditions we are in."

 

STRUGGLE AGAINST VIOLENCE IS POSSIBLE WITH SELF-DEFENCE

 

The fight against violence is possible through legitimate self-defence. We are deprived of all human rights and laws. As a means of legitimising the state, law and legislation protect men and the institution of the family, which the state sees as its prototype. Women's freedom can be established with the principles of equality and justice. And if equality and justice have become nostalgia, self-defence is a fundamental right if there is no ground for freedom. The ideological struggle against violence against women is possible through self-defence. Self-defence is the condensed form of democratic politics. It is the security policy of a moral political society. As a woman, creating self-defence means deepening self-consciousness and gender consciousness. As women, we must develop our physical and mental protection methods.

 

FREE WOMAN, FREE SOCIETY

 

We respectfully commemorate the murdered women and children, especially Sıla baby in Tekirdağ, Narin murdered in Amed, Rojin murdered in Van. As women, we promise that we will create a united accountability and create free women and society. 'Women who do not get in the way are fascinating' we are in the ages when women lead with all their fascination. We are in the era that will be the century of women when we will meet the truth with the slogan 'Jin jiyan azadî', which became universal with Mahsa Amini in Iran. We know that we will create a free society, even if it is a painful birth.

 

MENTAL RESISTANCE AMONG GREY CONCRETE

 

In dungeons, in grey concrete, we are trying to fight against the deepened policies of violence by protecting our mental health. This reality is a reality that necessitates positive self-construction at every moment. This reality is the reality of all of us. Being able to grasp this reality correctly determines how we will fight. And when you find how, no one can stop you. Until you succeed... We embrace you all with the warmth of women and wish you success in your work with our belief that we will create a free future."