The final of the activities organized by the Free Women's Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) for March 8 International Women's Day was held yesterday with a rally in Wan (Van). Thousands of women gathered at the rally with the slogan "We revolt against the massacre of women, we march to freedom", and Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's special message to women was also read. 

 

Listening to the message with great excitement, women told our agency about their feelings about the process.

 

Stating that for 26 years they have been waiting for a message from Abdullah Öcalan, Kadriye Gezici said, "Mr Öcalan has taken the necessary step and now it is the state's turn to take steps for peace and freedom. As Kurdish mothers, we call out to the morthers of soldiers; lets ensure peace and brotherhood together to stop the bloodshed. As Kurds, we want to live our identity and language freely. We want our Leader to be free and among us. We will not be free until our Leader is free. Kurds are always fighting for peace. If the state does not take any steps, we, as women, will be in the fields and continue our struggle."

 

Bahar Abi said, "Today is our day and we are happy about the letter sent by Mr Öcalan for women. We want the freedom of our Leader and all political prisoners in prison. We are ready to do whatever we have to do for peace. Mr Öcalan has taken the necessary steps for peace and now it is the state's turn. The state must now recognise the language and identity of the Kurds."

 

'A HISTORIC MESSAGE FOR WOMEN'

 

Stressing that Kurdish women have paid a great price for years, Fatma Serhatlı said, "They faced torture, detentions and arrests, but still they did not give up the struggle and led the women of the world. The message sent by the Leader is historical and meaningful. We will be behing this message until the end. Everyone should embrace this message. Mothers should not cry anymore and this war should end. No one has the right to spoil and waste this newly started process."

 

REACTION TO THE ATTACKS

 

Reacting to the ongoing attacks of the government, Nafya Kaya said, "On the one hand they say they will make peace, on the other hand they bomb Kobani and Tishreen. Detentions and arrests continue. What kind of peace is this? We say peace, brotherhood and we take steps for this, but they do not take steps in return."

 

Peace Mother Dilbirin reminded that Abdullah Öcalan had taken steps for peace and emphasised that it was the turn of the state and Erdogan to take steps. 

 

MA / Mehmet Güleş