JINHA

AMED – For months, the Sur district of Diyarbakır has been under blockade within the scope of the AKP’s new concept of war. Fatma Gülçiçek, Sur Municipality Women's Policy Office, says many women in Sur have suffered miscarriages, premature births and lactation problems due to gunshots and artillery fire. Meanwhile, children have been left traumatized.

For more than two months, Sur district of Diyarbakır has been under blockade under the name of a “curfew." Citizens have faced rights violations, including to their rights to health and life. The AKP’s war concept, brought into play since June 7, 2015, has affected mostly women and children. Women living under poor conditions are suffering from miscarriages, premature births and lactation problems. The Sur municipal government has supported people forcibly displaced from the Sur district.

Fatma Gülçiçek of the Sur Municipality Office of Women's Policies stated that the municipality had supported 1000 families whose forcibly displaced from the Sur district.

“Many women have been affected by the attacks carried out by Turkish state forces. We are trying to help them. However, all the events created a serious trauma for both women and children. Women do not feel safe anymore. They fear for the future," said Fatma. "Children who had to stay at home due to the attacks are afraid of going out. They are so afraid when they see police in the street or elsewhere. When we talk to them about their fears, they say they have dreams where soldiers and police come to their homes, assault them and stab their mothers and fathers.”

Fatma pointed out that women are suffering from miscarriages, premature births and lactation. “First women asked us for baby food. We hadn’t put it on the top of the list because women in this area hadn’t had this kind of problem before. However, we found out later that women has suffered from lactation problems. We put the baby food on the top of the list.

“We can only give health benefits to children right now. We are trying to help them, but it's not enough. We need more support.”

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