The Women’s Assembly of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party held a gathering under the theme “Women’s Meeting for Peace and Democratic Society”, focusing on the importance of integrating women’s liberation into the broader struggle for democracy. The event saw the active participation of Halide Türkoğlu, spokesperson of the DEM Party Women’s Assembly, members of the Women’s Coordination and a large number of women participants.
Speaking about the position of women in the ongoing struggles for peace and democracy, Türkoğlu said: “We emphasise that women are both affected by war and active subjects of peace. We are going through a process that targets society through women”. She elaborated on the growing impact of war on women, highlighting their critical role as both victims and active agents in peace-building processes. Türkoğlu stressed the need for unity in the fight for a society where women are not only survivors of conflict, but also central figures in achieving democratic change.
In her speech, Türkoğlu highlighted the interconnectedness of the situation in Turkey and the wider Middle East, stating, “We cannot look at developments in Turkey in isolation from those in the Middle East”. She also reflected on the efforts of women in regions such as northern and eastern Syria, saying, “While there is a model of women’s participation in northern and eastern Syria, we also face anti-women policies from groups such as HTS [Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham].” Türkoğlu emphasised the ongoing struggle for equality, noting that despite patriarchal forces, women continue to fight for a better future.
“We are witnessing regimes in the Middle East that produce male-dominated systems,” she continued, “and the construction of war policies has a direct impact on women’s rights”. She affirmed that women’s ongoing struggle for equality and freedom remains central to shaping a future democratic society, with women playing a vital role in the fight for justice from both a social and political perspective.
The event also served as a call to action, with Türkoğlu outlining future plans to strengthen women’s political participation. “We want women to be subjects in democratic politics,” she said, stressing the importance of working with women’s organisations in political parties and media that support peace and democracy. She also mentioned plans to organise more meetings with women’s NGOs to expand their efforts and reach more people with their message.
