Women around the world took to the streets on Friday to demand their rights on International Women’s Day. Turkey, from its Kurdish-majority cities to its western regions, was no exception, with significant demonstrations taking place across the country.
Some of the rallies were marked by the Turkish government’s attempts to suppress them, which were met with strong resistance from the women involved.
In Istanbul, students from Istanbul University gathered on campus before marching to Beyazıt Square, chanting in support of women’s rights. However, their peaceful demonstration was met with opposition from Turkish law enforcement, who first attempted to ban the march and later used force to disperse participants, resulting in the detention of many students in harsh conditions.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, women gathered in the southern city of Mersin to mourn the death of Merve Bayar, who was fatally attacked by her ex-husband, a police officer. The participants, who solemnly carried Bayar’s coffin, vowed to seek justice for her death, including Perihan Koca, a Mersin MP from the People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.
In the capital Ankara, a solidarity group formed to support the DEM Party’s co-mayor candidate for the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, imprisoned politician Gültan Kışanak, delivered a firm message of support to all women and reaffirmed Kışanak’s unwavering commitment to the cause.
Kurdish-majority regions in Turkey also saw widespread participation in 8 March celebrations, with rallies and festivals in 15 cities attracting large crowds. Prior to these rallies, women gathered at festivals in many centres to collectively honour the occasion.
In Diyarbakır (Amed), the spirit of International Women’s Day resonated deeply, with the co-chair of the DEM Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları, saying: “We women will defend life both in Istanbul and in Amed”.
Cities such as Mardin (Merdin), Van (Wan), Kars (Qers), Hakkari (Colemerg), Şırnak (Şirnex) and Şanlıurfa (Riha) witnessed large gatherings where speakers emphasised the need to combat violence against women and the ongoing struggle for women’s rights, freedoms and lives, highlighting the central role of 8 March in these efforts.
With just hours to go before the week-long events culminate on 8 March, women across Turkey stand ready to defy attempted bans and take to the streets in Feminist Night Marches.
