A coalition of NGOs and professional associations has launched a new network in the Kurdish province of Van to combat violence against women, children, and LGBTIQ+ individuals. The initiative aims to coordinate efforts against gender-based violence, hate crimes, and structural discrimination.

The platform, called Network Against Violence, was officially announced on Monday at the provincial bar association’s conference hall. It was initiated by the Star Women's Association, the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), and the Human Rights Association (İHD) are among the founding members of the platform, which also includes the Van Bar Association's commissions, the Human Rights and Media Association (İHAMED), the Van-Hakkari Medical Chamber, the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK) Van Branch, and the Van Provincial Women's Coordination of Local Governments.

Speaking here, Leyla Abukan from the Star Women’s Association stressed the urgency of a structured response, saying: “Violence against women, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and children has long become a core practice of patriarchal and ideological power structures. We are witnessing an alarming escalation, visible in the growing number of femicides and hate crimes. This is no longer just a social issue; it’s a political reality.”

The network aims to counteract this violence through institutional cooperation and shared strategies. It positions itself as an open, non-discriminatory coordination platform based on solidarity, data protection, ethical principles, and transparency.

The declaration outlined the following key principles:

▪️ Commitment to cooperation: The member organizations pledge to work together throughout the city of Van against all forms of violence targeting women, children, LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer) individuals, as well as refugee and migrant women — regardless of political, ethnic, or religious background.

▪️ Data-driven work: The initiative seeks to establish a shared data base and collective memory, with strict adherence to personal data protection and confidentiality standards.

▪️ Dynamic structure: The statutes of the network may be amended and further developed by mutual agreement when needed.

▪️ Structural engagement: The founding groups consider this networking effort a necessary step not only to make violence visible but also to address it structurally.

The platform announced plans to soon begin launching campaigns, publishing monitoring reports, and supporting individual cases throughout the region.