The Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions’ (DISK’s) Women’s Commission, the Confederation of Public Workers Unions’ (KESK’s) Women’s Assembly, the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects’ (TMMOB’S) Women’s Working Group and the Medical Association’s (TTB’s) Women’s Medicine and Women’s Health Branch issued a joint press statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March , Jin News reported.
“We have words to say: ‘We have the power to change! Long live women’s solidarity'”, the groups pointed out in their joint statement.
The statement pointed out that ‘8 March’ is a day of struggle against exploitation, discrimination and oppression against women. The resistance symbolizes the achievements of women’s rights, and the struggle for existence of women has become much more meaningful in this period. It was recognised that women face gender inequality in work and in their social life.
“Violence against women continues widely in all areas of life. At least four women are murdered every day. The statistics on violence against women reveals a human rights disaster whilst the impunity of the perpetrators, the lack of protection for the women and lawlessness is maintained by the legal systems”, the signatory organisations noted in their joint statement.
The statement issued the following demands:
* Legal regulations to prevent all kinds of discrimination and violence against women and LGBTI + should be implemented urgently and the Istanbul Convention should be accepted.
* All kinds of discrimination against women in working life should be abandoned: Flexible working, gender division of labour and wage inequality should be ended and secure and regular jobs should be granted.
* Equal representation in power and decision making mechanisms should be implemented.
* Actual practices to support the use of abortion rights as a health and social right and safe and free abortion opportunities should be provided.
* Women should have at least two days of paid leave during their menstrual period.
* The obstacles to women in employment, such as child care, care of disabled people and housework should be addressed as a public service, and social policies should be implemented to take the burden of housework from women.
* Full-time, free, qualified public kindergartens should be opened.
* The 4 + 4 + 4 education system, which is an obstacle to women in education and employment and which leads to child marriages, should be cancelled immediately.
* March 8 should be considered paid leave for women.
