Physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence against women continues to increase in all areas of life. While many women lose their lives as a result of the violence they are subjected to, the perpetrators are generally protected by the system they are empowered by through the policy of impunity. As a result of increasing violence, safe spaces for women are shrinking day by day. Despite this, violence against women is considered as a women's problem by a wide range of people. Women will once again take to the streets on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to raise their objections against both the violence they are subjected to and the mentality they face.

 

On 25 November, we spoke to men in Istanbul and Wan about violence against women. According to men, the biggest cause of increasing violence and massacres is the impunity policy and the government.

 

'NO WOMAN, NO WORLD'

 

Sinan Mayrok said that violence is not a situation to be covered up. "Violence is not a situation to be seen as normal. I do not believe that the penalties given by the state are deterrent. We know that perpetrators attack women and young people even on the streets. Perpetrators should no longer be released with simple punishments. They should receive big penalties so that no one will dare to do it again. From now on, deterrent moves must be developed. Woman is life itself. If there is no woman, there is no world," he said.

 

İsmet Kaval said that he is against all kinds of violence against women. "Perpetrators must be given deterrent penalties. If heavy punishments are not given, such crimes will never end. Everyone needs to do their part on this issue," he said.

 

'WE ARE AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT'

 

Noting that violence has turned into "political violence", Azad Kaya said: "In the Kadir Şeker incident, it was not Kadir who should have been prosecuted, but the perpetrator. We are now afraid to speak out against violence and everything started with this fear. The society and the power that governs us have brought us to such a state that we cannot speak, we cannot raise our voices. Violence against women, children, nature and animals has increased. Perpetrators get discounts for 'good behaviour' and are released after serving a few months or years. We are a very cowardly and repressed society in terms of standing against violence. We are wrong in this cowardice and silence. Every second we do not stand up against this violence, a woman is murdered. If the perpetrators were punished, we would not be in this situation now. If deterrent punishments were given, women would be freer."

 

Stating that violence starts from the state, Hakan Çevik said: "All kinds of violence against women's struggle for freedom and equality is in effect. The state should prosecute the perpetrator who killed the woman and protect the woman. This is not the concept of freedom. Women who want to divorce are threatened with death by the perpetrator's family, the perpetrator's environment and the perpetrator himself. If the perpetrators were given deterrent penalties, so many women would not be killed today."

 

Hacı Tunç said: "I condemn violence against women with hatred. The hand of violence that reaches out to women must be broken. But I believe that women will succeed. Women should no longer fall victim to unsolved murders and suspicious deaths. I want the perpetrators to be punished and no violence against women to be inflicted again."

 

'IT HAS REACHED A DISGUSTING DIMENSION'

 

Selçuk Kundakçı drew attention to the reflections of the pressure exerted by the government on society and said: "The pressure exerted by the government on society creates a problematic society. When men see the pressure, they think they can solve the problem by inflicting violence on women. In this sense, society needs serious education. Violence against women and rape of children have reached a really disgusting level in our country. Serious sanctions must be applied to such incidents. At the current stage, there is a law, but no one enforces it. The Istanbul Convention was abolished. In other words, it both does not implement and abolishes the laws that protect women."

 

Stating that violence against women in Turkey is not only physical violence, "Psychological violence is one of them. The pressure of families on girls, preventing them from choosing a profession are different dimensions of violence. A new generation is growing up and they must undergo serious education. At the same time, women's economic freedom must be ensured," Bayram Güven said.

 

'THE SYSTEM MUST CHANGE'

 

Bedri Özbal said: "We never and never approve of violence against women. Violence and massacre against women continue to increase day by day. When we look back, we cannot see even one law to prevent all these. The point where society has reached is very critical. Another event that reflects the reality of Turkey is the murder of Narin. In this sense, the system definitely needs to change completely."

 

Emphasising that the legal system should be completely revised, Mefahir Mısırlı said: "As men, we are really ashamed. It is a very sad situation in Turkey. In order to prevent massacres of women, justice must be the first thing to happen. It is very important that the law is independent and impartial and works in this sense."