Amed Municipality organised an event yesterday to celebrate 8 March in the Fidanlık Camp, where Yazidi people from Sinjar were sheltered after they had have to take flight to North Kurdistan following the attacks of ISIS on the area.  450 Yazidi women participated in the celebration of International Women’s Day, for the first time.

HDP deputy co-chair Meral Danış Bektaş and HDP Deputy Nursel Aydoğan participated in the activity as well as HDP Amed branch executives. The activity started with a minute’s silence for all those who have fallen in the struggle for freedom and democracy and this was followed by a cine-vision show on the history of 8 March. A statement narrated the historical meaning of 8 March, stressing that the day is the “response of women against male dominance”.

The statement drew attention to the increase in violence against women and murder of women, adding that the women’s labour and their existence are ignored by male dominance. The statement called on all women to take to the streets on 8 March.

Speaking at the event, HDP deputy co-chair Danış said 2015 is one of the most important years in the struggle of women, adding that women are subjected to discrimination in all aspects of social life and that they are not free. Danış said: “We cannot claim today that women, in Sinjar, Amed or Antep, or any other place in the world, are free. Society cannot be liberated without women having equal rights with men”, adding that women have resisted in Kobanê against ISIS, and that the YPJ has waged a historic resistance for all women.

Following the speeches, a theatre performance, which was prepared by Baran Demir together with the youth in the camp, was staged.