A diverse group of women known as the Peace Mothers held events across Turkey on the country’s Mother’s Day, 13 May, stating that “peace is the greatest gift” they could receive.
The activities took place in various cities including İzmir and the Kurdish-majority cities of Diyarbakır (Amed) and Şırnak (Şirnex), drawing attention to the ongoing social and political issues faced by mothers, especially whose children have been taken from them by imprisonment or conflict.
The event in Diyarbakır was led by the Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad or TJA) and featured traditional Kurdish music and freedom chants, with the participation of various civil society groups and citizens. The Peace Mothers expressed the distress they suffered over separation from their children.
They were joined by members of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and relatives of prisoners who are part of the Justice Vigil initiative. Peace Mother Kudret Eryılmaz described Mother’s Day as a “dark day” for her both because of the absence of her children and the ongoing military actions that disrupt their lives. “Our children are not with us, there is no Mother’s Day,” Eryılmaz stated, highlighting the desire for peace among mothers from the Turkish and Kurdish communities.
Many Peace Mothers, women and children attended an event held by the DEM Party in Bağcılar, Istanbul. The event started with a documentary screening depicting the struggles of a number of women and was marked by traditional Kurdish singing and dancing.
In İzmir, the Peace Mothers Council organised a march from Konak Square to the Pier, displaying banners in Kurdish and Turkish that read, “The greatest gift to mothers is peace.” The march featured chants in support of the resilience of mothers in prisons and those fighting for justice.
The Peace Mothers made a statement in the Silopi (Silopya) district of Şırnak with a similar message, calling for an end to warfare, which exacerbates the suffering of all mothers affected by conflict. DEM Party MP for Şırnak, Nevroz Uysal Aslan, expressed her support for the call for peace, stressing that the resolution of the Kurdish issue would bring relief to mothers all across the region.
The Peace Mothers Council in Batman (Êlih) organised a press conference at their own premises, where speakers called for an end to the policy of isolation of prisoners and voiced demands for justice and peace.
The Free Women’s Movement organised a well-attended event in Siirt (Sêrt), featuring banners sending greetings ‘to the mothers of heroes in prisons’. Various speeches expressed the collective yearning for peace and an end to suffering.
The Peace Mothers Initiative in Bitlis (Bedlîs) celebrated Mother’s Day at the DEM Party Tatvan District Branch premises, where people read out letters from prisoners and stated the need for peace and for solidarity among all mothers.
In Kars (Qers), a celebration for Mother’s Day and also for Kurdish Language Day was organised by the DEM Party Kağızman (Qaxizman) Municipal Council. The event concluded with songs by the artist Koma Newaye Serheda Jorin, and traditional dancing.
