Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Party Assembly (PM) member Sêvê Demir, Free Women Congress (Congressya Jinên Azad-KJA) activist Fatma Uyar and Silopiya People's Assembly Co-Chair Pakize Nayır were killed by gunfire from an armored vehicle during curfews in Silopiya (Silopi) district of Şirnex (Şırnak). The legacy of struggle left behind by the 3 women who were murdered on January 4, 2016 in Silopiya, where their paths crossed, is continued by their colleagues. 

 

DBP Women's Assembly, which held its 3rd Conference in Amed (Diyarbakır) on December 13, 2024, decided to expand the organization and women's struggle in democratic politics with academies in the coming period. DBP Women's Assembly and PM member Nurten Üzümcü spoke about their work and road map on the anniversary of the murder of 3 women. 

  

Nurten Üzümcü stated that attacks against the organized women's struggle continue. Underlining that the reason why pioneering women are targeted in these attacks is the fear of the freedom struggle, Nurten Üzümcü referred to the rising women's struggle in the 21st century. Nurten Üzümcü said, “The unification of society around the women's struggle has increased the anxiety of the ruling power even more.” 

 

Nurten Üzümcü said that efforts were made to prevent women from having a will and taking part in decision-making mechanisms, and added, “Especially when we evaluate 2016, it was a difficult process for both the Kurdish people and women. There was a relentless attack. Women led the people's struggle against these attacks. Today, it was women who embraced both the gains and the national resistance at the highest level. A great struggle was waged against the mentality of 'it will be done whether it is a woman or a child'. The world remained silent as women, children and young people were burned in basements and cities were destroyed. Despite all the attacks, today women's struggle for freedom continues to spread and grow.” 

 

DBP Women's Assembly member Nurten Üzümcü 

 

'WE RECOGNIZE THE MASSACRING MENTALITY'

 

Nurten Üzümcü said that their search for justice against the massacres in both Paris and Silopi continues and emphasized that their struggle will continue until those responsible are tried. Stating that the attacks are against women's identity, Nurten Üzümcü said, “A common struggle is necessary for this. We will resist by claiming the legacy left by Sakinelerin and Sêvês and by saying 'peace' against war. Because we know the mentality that committed the massacres. This mentality targeted women under the name of ISIS. We will weave an honorable peace in these lands.” 

 

Underlining that the attacks on North and East Syria are the product of the “male-dominated mind”, Nurten Üzümcü said, “Women in Rojava realized a women's revolution with a common struggle. A people who were ignored by the mentality of capitalist modernity until 2011, who had no identity and whose geography was plundered, realized a revolution led by women. This revolution gave hope to the ignored and marginalized peoples and women around the world. The miracle realized by this people has become the fear of the rulers.” 

 

'STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION IS A MUST'

 

Nurten Üzümcü talked about the activities of the DBP Women's Assembly and said, “We need to strengthen our struggle by forming a women's union with all women's movements in the world, the Middle East and Turkey. For a long time, conferences, symposiums and workshops have been held jointly with many women's organizations both in the Middle East and Europe. We will respond to this process in the best way possible by organizing and uniting our struggle with women's movements.” 

 

Nurten Üzümcü stated that the methods of struggle against the attacks against women were discussed at the conference and reminded that before the conference, they held awareness-raising meetings against the “special war” in Kurdistan cities and stated that they will increase their work against the “special war”.

 

MA / Şirvan Şilan Çil