The Free Women’s Movement (TJA) is organizing a march from Amed (tr. Diyarbakır) to the Turkish capital Ankara under the motto “We walk to freedom with hope.” The march, which kicked off on Wednesday, will pass through seven cities in seven stages, including Urfa, Antep, Adana, Mersin, and finally Ankara, where the protest will conclude with a press conference during a parliamentary group meeting. The demonstration is intended not only to demand the release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, but also to send a signal for a democratic, peaceful reorganization in Turkey. 

250 women attending the six-day march with banners reading “The right to hope cannot be denied,” reached the district of Hilvan in Urfa province. They were greeted by hundreds of women with white scarves in their hands.

The activists, who are staging their demonstration with great determination and enthusiasm, will continue their march tomorrow in Halfeti district.

Speaking to ANF, the participants stated that they were marching for the widespread establishment and implementation of social peace with demands that concern all peoples.

The activists summarized their 7-day march with the words, “This is a social march; we are marching to draw attention to the importance of social peace. Social peace also depends on the implementation of the right to hope and other rights.”

“Öcalan is indispensable for his people”

Hatice Yıldız emphasized that the march was initiated with the demand for the “right to hope,” stating: "The right to hope is indispensable for Mr. Öcalan, who is indispensable for his people. We came from Van to Diyarbakır, and from here we will march to Ankara. We will send a message to Ankara, to Parliament, to the people of Turkey. If we want freedom, peace, and justice, both Turks and Kurds should assume responsibility. This march for freedom is also an action for the right to hope. Deaths must end, weapons must be laid down. The time of weapons is over. The peoples of Turkey and we no longer want this war because the greatest victims of war are women and children. My call is this: From Circassians to Laz, from Turks to Kurds, everyone must say ‘enough’. We do not want war; peace must begin right now. This is the meaning of our march: the right to hope and peace.

“We will raise women's demands for freedom and equality in Ankara”

KESK Women's Secretary Döne Gevher, who is among those participating in the march, explained their purpose as follows: "The call for peace and a democratic society has been welcomed by broad sections of society. However, this call can only be answered through action and events, not just by sitting still. That is why we started this march from Diyarbakır to Ankara. At the end of our six-day march, we will raise the issue of amendment to the law on execution of sentences and the demand for the right to hope, as expressed by the European Court of Human Rights, in front of Sincan Prison. Then, in front of the Parliament, we will raise women's demands for freedom and equality. Throughout the march, we will meet with women in villages and city squares and try to raise the cry for freedom together with the people."

“We are marching for democracy, freedom, and peace”

Participant Seçkin Tunç stated: “We are marching for democracy, freedom, and peace. We are marching for a society without class differences, where people live as equals. We are marching for the freedom of the working class, for the freedom of women and girls. We are marching for sick prisoners. Above all, we are marching for the improvement of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan's conditions. On the other hand, we are also marching for freedom fighters. I hope our demands are met. Because, as Mr. Abdullah Öcalan said: ‘Society cannot be free without women being free.’ We continue our march believing in this. Peace must become a social reality."

“The process is progressing very slowly”

Öznur Evin stated that the march was initiated to bring together all social demands, saying: “We took into account all legal, economic, and social factors when embarking on this march. This march is for the right to hope, social peace, and women's rights. Our final destination will be Ankara. There, we will loudly demand peace, the right to hope, and all the rights of women and society. A process has been underway for about 7-8 months, but it is progressing very slowly and needs to be accelerated. Society is not in favor of war but peace. Our goal is also to stop the war and establish social peace. If there is to be a social peace agreement, it will be formed by women. Women's place and importance in peace is very significant. We women, as pioneers of peace, have started this march and will continue it to the end."