Women co-mayors of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), who began their "Our words are not finished; we will stop violence together" campaign on 13 November 2024, presented the efforts carried out under this initiative. With their announcement, they officially kicked off preparations for International Women’s Day on 8 March. The event was held at the Ali Emiri Conference Hall of Diyarbakır (Amed) Metropolitan Municipality, attended by women co-mayors and many women.

A visual presentation was shown before the statement, highlighting the work carried out as part of the campaign. The Kurdish version of the statement was read by Devrim Demir, the co-mayor of Mardin (Mêrdîn), whose position was unlawfully seized and given to a government-appointed trustee. The Turkish version was delivered by Serra Bucak, the co-mayor of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality.

Recalling that trustees have shut down Women’s Solidarity Centers, Women’s Shelters, and Domestic Violence Hotlines in many places, Serra Bucak said: "The intervention of the trustees has not only eliminated existing services but has also prevented the establishment of new ones. Municipalities have been rendered nearly incapable of developing projects that strengthen gender equality and women’s rights. Women's solidarity centers have been either made inactive or shut down, gender equality units within municipalities have been abolished, and efforts to combat violence have been completely dismantled."

Bucak added: "Our words are not finished; we will stop violence together. We have strengthened mechanisms of resistance by reopening women’s solidarity centers, shelters, and domestic violence hotlines. In all provinces and districts, we have organized training programs on women’s rights, gender equality, and combating violence. As DEM Party municipalities, we have conducted awareness campaigns through social media, billboards, and local media to enhance public consciousness on these critical issues.”

Serra Bucak continued: "Awareness campaigns were conducted in neighborhoods, villages, towns, and municipal institutions on mechanisms to combat violence against women, Law No. 6284, gender equality, non-violent communication, and strategies to counter digital violence.

- Self-defense workshops were held in neighborhoods, villages, towns, and municipal institutions. 

- A panel on the legal and political struggle against violence against women was organized.

- Fieldwork was carried out in neighborhoods, marketplaces, shopping malls, and villages to raise awareness about combating violence against women, including the distribution of brochures. 

- Posters, billboards, and video content were produced for social media platforms to increase public awareness. 

- Van (Wan) Metropolitan Municipality and several district municipalities signed the 'Commitment Against Violence' declaration."

Newly established institutions

Bucak highlighted that facilities for combating violence against women have been reactivated and said: "The Diyarbakır Women's Research and Support Center  (DİKASUM) under Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality has been reopened. Additionally, several key institutions have been reestablished or newly opened, including the Peyas Women's Solidarity Center and Peyas Women's Works Library, Van Women's Works Library and Research Center, Floating Women's Library, Çıl Kezi Women's Solidarity Center, Sinemhan Women's Life and Solidarity Center, Viranşehir Women's Solidarity Center, Tatvan Women's Solidarity Center, Ağrı Women's Solidarity Center, and Mekiye Ana Women's Solidarity Center. In Van's districts, the Amargi Women's Life Center, Şamiran Women's Life Center, Hebun Women's Life Center, Serav Women's Life Center, and 11 Women's Rest Houses have been opened as part of the campaign. Additionally, the Van Metropolitan Municipality has launched a Women's Support Hotline."

We will be in the streets on March 8

Bucak added: "The women's struggle, which was disrupted by the trustee policies, is now taking root once again in every street, every neighborhood, and every institution. This solidarity network, built collectively, will amplify women's voices in local governance, strengthen collective resistance, and lay a strong foundation for a violence-free life. Drawing strength from women's struggle for freedom and equality, from solidarity and determination, we will build a democratic, ecological, and women-liberating life together. Because we know that the organized struggle of women is the strongest guarantee of social transformation and liberation.

With the strength we have gained from our campaign, ‘Our words are not finished; we will stop violence together,’ we will continue advancing our women's policies in local governments, now reinforced with the International Working Women's Day events we have launched today. As heirs of the centuries-old women's struggle against inequality, sexism, and femicide perpetuated by male-dominated power structures, we vow to take to the streets once again on 8 March, marching toward freedom with our resistance and struggle. We celebrate 8 March, the day of unity, solidarity, and resistance for women worldwide."