‘The solution is joint women's struggle and self-defence’

 

Rozerin Gültekin

 

ISTANBUL - Psychologist Esra Kahraman, who drew attention to the fact that violence is applied in all areas, especially in physical, social, emotional, sexual and economic areas, stated that the solution lies in common women's struggle and self-defence.

 

 As 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women approaches, the types of physical, psychological, economic, sexual and sociocultural violence that women are exposed to in all areas of life and the self-defence methods to be developed against this violence are back on the agenda.

 

As psychologist Esra Kahraman emphasises, violence is a systematic means of domination over the bodies and identities of individuals, and one of the most important steps to end this domination is for women to organise themselves and gain self-defence awareness. Self-defence strengthens not only women's physical safety, but also their psychological resilience and social solidarity. However, state policies and the oppressive structure based on gender inequalities make it difficult for women to break out of this cycle of violence.

 

Raising awareness against all forms of violence and empowering women in solidarity creates a common ground for struggle as the main purpose of 25 November.

 

In this part of our dossier, Psychologist Esra Kahraman made evaluations on the types of violence against women and the necessity of self-defence.

 

Types of violence

 

Esra Kahraman stated that violence is a tool of domination and that this tool is used to ensure control in physical, social, emotional, sexual and economic aspects. Esra Kahraman said, "Violence is used as a tool to control society and individuals. There are many types of violence such as physical, psychological, economic, sexual, verbal and cultural. While only physical violence is visible in society, individuals try to access an application mechanism only when they are subjected to physical violence. However, if a person is subjected to psychological violence, we cannot say that he/she is not subjected to economic violence; all types of violence are intertwined with each other. If there is physical violence, there is also psychological violence."

 

Esra Kahraman stated that violence inflicted with the aim of harming the body of the person is physical violence and also mentioned other types of violence: "Damaging the integrity and honour of the individual, belittling and mocking is psychological violence; psychological violence is also verbal violence. Sociocultural violence is when an individual's culture is underestimated and violence is inflicted on him/her based on his/her culture. Economic violence, on the other hand, is a type of violence that is not seen very often but is intense. For example, the lack of remuneration for the labour of women who are domestic labourers and the confiscation of the wages earned by the woman is economic violence. Even a woman's higher status can lead to violence, because in this case she is seen as a threat and is subjected to violence. Sexual violence is when an individual is forced to have sexual intercourse without consent; even in marital relationships, women are not aware that they are subjected to sexual violence."

 

 ‘Gender inequality is violence’

 

Pointing out the role of the social order shaped by gender inequality in the increase in violence, Esra Kahraman said, "Gender is the biological characteristics of the individual. Gender, on the other hand, is the roles that society assigns to the individual according to gender. Gender inequality is maintained for the continuation of the patriarchal order. We see gender inequality more intensely in monist nation-states. In order for the current order to continue, suppression and silencing are in question, and this is mostly practised on women. Violence is deliberately and consciously nurtured; gender inequality is a type of violence in itself."

 

 ‘Our aim is to explain what violence is’

 

Esra Kahraman, who explained how women are aware of the violence they are exposed to and how they follow a path against it in the workshops they carry out in the neighbourhoods as Women's Time Association, used the following words: "We organise workshops in places where violence is intense and access to application mechanisms is very low. Fifteen out of 20 women attending the workshop are not aware that they have been subjected to violence. Istanbul is a province with high migration. The fact that women who have to migrate cannot access services in their mother tongue is also a form of violence; however, women are not aware of this or of violence within the family. As the Women's Time Association and the Women's Solidarity Centre, we also receive applications about violence and provide support. When we look at the applications, we see that women usually apply when they have reached the last point. The reason for this is the system based on gender inequality. In general, there is insecurity; because they say ‘What will happen if I apply?’ and try to solve the problem on their own. Our aim is to explain what violence is and to make women realise their power resources against violence."

 

‘Women's solidarity is also self-defence’

 

Esra Kahraman continued as follows: "Self-defence is the protection of the individual against unfair behaviour and danger. Self-defence is a whole, both physically and psychologically. Women's empowerment and solidarity is self-defence. In Turkey, self-defence was first heard of through the work of the Kurdish women's movement and the slogan ‘Self-defence is a right’. The biggest reason why women cannot get out of the cycle of violence is state policies. What the state promises to women as a solution does not take women out of the cycle of violence. A few days ago, the 27th Shelters Congress was organised, and it was discussed ‘How can we get women out of the cycle of violence? Because the aim is not only to take women to shelters, but also how we can empower them. There needs to be continuous mobilisation on a common ground; there needs to be mobilisation against all forms of violence."

 

‘Women should meet on common ground’

 

Finally, Esra Kahraman talked about how they welcomed 25 November and said, "Violence is now in a very different dimension. As 25 November approaches, there is an intense anger among women and women's organisations. With this anger, a strong activism emerges. These actions are organised to end violence and raise awareness. We are going to 25 November with the aim of developing self-defence and solidarity. Solidarity needs to grow in order to end the order based on inequality. In order to create a world without violence, women must meet on a common ground."