JINHA

ISTANBUL – Men from the Caferağa Solidarity Masculinity Workshop, in the Istanbul neighborhood of Kadıköy, called on men to "betray their masculinity" because "every man is a potential perpetrator."

The men marched from Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Square to Süreyya Opera, with slogans including "I'm a man, a potential murderer" and "change masculinity, start with yourself," distributing pamphlets to passersby.

Marchers called on men to start with their own identities if they wished to end the violence against women most recently exemplified in the rape and burning to death of student Özgecan Aslan in Mersin province.

"Men showing their 'sensitivity' after this terrible murder posted things on social media like 'give me the killer, I'll rape him myself.' They thought a sentence like this that legitimates rape was acceptable," said Barış Yıldırım, a member of the workshop. He also condemned the "good behavior" sentence reductions that are common for men convicted of violence against women.

"Even if we aren't directly responsible for the crimes, tabloidizing the event and making arguments that justify men makes us part of the problem."

He called on men to reject these male gender roles and to support women, LGBTI people and men struggling against patriarchy.

(fk/cm)