Violence and massacres against women, one of the unchanging agendas of the country, continue relentlessly. According to the May report of JINNEWS, which keeps a tally of male violence, at least 21 women were murdered in just one month, 19 women and 3 children died under suspicious circumstances. In Licê district of Amed, 3 people, including two women and a child, were found dead under suspicious circumstances in the last two months. While 18-year-old Rengin Yıldırım was found suspiciously dead in her house on 30 May, 17-year-old Y.E., who was 9 months pregnant, was found shot with a firearm in her house.

 

We spoke to women in the district about the increasing violence and suspicious deaths.

 

WOMAN MURDERS POLITICAL

 

 

Binevş Peker stated that women and children are murdered and dragged into prostitution by the state and said that women are subjected to intense pressure by the society. Binevş Peker stated that she suffers from many psychological problems as a result of not being able to express herself and said, "You feel pressurised. This is not only done by the state, many problems can also be experienced when suppressed by the family. It is clear that femicides are political. Because something done consciously is political. The perpetrator who murdered the woman says 'I will serve a maximum of 2 years and get out'. This can be prevented with deterrent penalties. However, I do not think that the state will take a step in this regard."

 

WHY IMPUNITY

 

 

Referring to child marriages, Azize Uzun said: "Women are persecuted more than men. Femicide is caused by impunity policies. If heavy sanctions are imposed, then women will not be killed. However, women continue to be killed because they are not interested. Women are persecuted and killed at every age. Perpetrators should be given deterrent penalties. Because they throw them in through one door and release them through the other door. This vicious circle and impunity repeat the offence."

 

WOMEN DO NOT FEEL SAFE

 

 

Reminding the suspicious deaths in the district, Yüksel Baran said: "The underlying reasons why young people are dragged to their deaths in this way are in people's minds. The system is trying to create an apolitical society. Young people are left helpless. No woman feels safe anymore due to impunity. No woman feels safe at home, in the neighbourhood and on the street. Deterrent penalties must be imposed to prevent murders. Violence and murders against women stem from the system of governance. That is, the state-male dominated system. A strong stance is needed against this. Women have more responsibility to prevent male-dominated mentality and social violence."

 

SPECIAL WAR POLICIES

 

 

Rozerin Yiğitel pointed out that one of the reasons for the violence and deaths in Kurdistan is the special war policies: "The policy of impunity is one of the most important arguments. If a man was punished when he murders a woman, this situation would not happen anymore. When they put on a tie and say 'I regret it', the impunity is used as a trump card. There is no punishment, and this turns into a power in the hands of men. The man says, 'I will get away with it anyway'."