We Will Stop Femicide Platform: Don't be afraid! They will not be able to touch the Civil Code

Emphasizing that women's hard-won rights would be reopened for debate at the Civil Code Workshop, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform held a protest in front of The Marmara Hotel. Speaking at the demonstration, General Secretary Fidan Ataselim stated that even the list of participants for the meeting was being kept secret. 

Ataselim also announced that they had requested appointments from the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Justice to discuss the problems women face and potential solutions, but that they had not been granted an appointment for months. Ataselim stated the following:

“WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE”

“Today, in the 100th year of the Republic, a Turkish Civil Code workshop is being held at this hotel. The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of Interior—there are many ministries inside. In the 100th year of the Republic, one could discuss how we have the most progressive Civil Code possible regarding the Civil Code. The responsibility for failing to implement it lies with the ministries at this meeting.

They even hid who would attend this meeting and what would be discussed. You might be wondering why we are protesting here. One day, when they reach out to touch the Civil Code, they will say they consulted with all parties, they will say they invited everyone; do not believe them. That is why we are here to provide evidence. 

“THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE US AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONTHS”

We wanted to share years of experience and struggle with the new ministers; we wanted to explain the problems women face in real life and the solutions. But the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Justice have not even given us an appointment for months. They did not even provide a positive or negative response to our petition. That is why we are sharing our opinion with the entire public from here.

Reaching out to touch the Civil Code in one way or another means declaring war on secularism in these days when calls for a caliphate are being made and Constitutional Court decisions are being ignored. The Civil Code means civilization. Don't be afraid! We will protect secularism and civilization; they will not be able to touch the Civil Code. 

THERE IS POVERTY, THERE IS NO EQUALITY!

Secondly, if women fall into poverty when they get divorced, it is primarily the state's responsibility to eliminate this poverty. But there are still unemployed women; they still tell women to sit at home, and not all girls can receive an education. They are not solving these problems. But they say there are men who are victims of alimony. There is poverty, there is no equality! You cannot touch the right to alimony. Don't be afraid! We will fight to study and work equally, and for egalitarian relationships within those homes. And until we achieve this, we will never give up the right to alimony. 

“6284 MUST BE IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVELY”

They will say, 'Let's make family mediation mandatory so that homes do not fall apart.' The family councils were not held in vain. Those who open religious guidance bureaus instead of women's counseling centers in every neighborhood only imprison women in homes where they will be slaves. 41% of the women murdered were killed by the men they were married to. 30 women were in the process of divorce. What women need is protection, which means the effective implementation of Law No. 6284. Mediation cannot be a subject where there is violence. Don't be afraid! No one will be able to reconcile us with the perpetrators of violence, and they will not be able to darken our future.  

WE WILL NOT FALL FOR THE LIE THAT WE WILL MAKE DIVORCE EASIER

Fourthly, they might try to carry out a study that sounds nice, saying 'let's make divorce easier.' Divorce can only be truly possible when the rights of the parties are protected. With the topics they bring to the agenda, there are risks such as ignoring the rights of women, who are seen in a lower position as a result of gender inequality. Rights are a whole. We have the right to live without violence and to divorce, with our rights intact, without substituting one for the other. Don't be afraid! We will not fall for the lie that 'we are making divorce easier,' and we will follow up on every single one of our rights. 

THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENSLAVE WOMEN IN THOSE HOMES

Those who say 'we will handle Family Law from scratch' in this workshop are here. If you are going to handle family law, first stop messing with the families of those who are struggling. Account for Zelal, who attempted suicide on the TEM highway 2 days ago. She was abused by her brothers and forced into suicide. First, account for the family of HKG. Since you talk about 'family,' first account for the children of the 162 women murdered in 2023. Which family would you like us to talk about? We have a lot of accounts to settle regarding all of them.   Don't be afraid! They will not be able to enslave women in those homes again and make men the masters. They will not interfere with whether we form a family or what we call a family.”

News Source: 12punto