JINHA

İZMİR- Melis Akgül, who went to Yüksekova from İzmir under the leadership of the KJA, shared her impressions about the town with us and called for solidarity with people.

Women have extended their solidarity network against the destruction was carried out by state forces in Hakkari’s Yüksekova district following declaration of curfews. Women, who went to Yüksekova from İzmir under the leadership of the Free Women’s Congress (KJA), shared their impressions about the town with us. Melis Akgül, board member of the KJA İzmir branch, indicated that face-to-face communication is more important than staying distant. Melis stated that groups of five were formed and they departed from İzmir to Yüksekova as six women. Melis said they didn’t have any problem on way until Van; however, they were stopped on the Yüksekova road again and again. Melis said, “There are sick people, children and women are stopped on the road for hours.”

Melis said they saw demolished homes when they arrived in the town; “There were gendered graffiti on the walls. Agricultural tools, belongings, tractors were destroyed and burned. Imagine that homes have only columns nothing more. Our duty was to determine damaged homes and we provided people’s needs such as baby food and women’s special needs.”

Melis emphasized the importance of being in solidarity and called on all women by saying, “Everyone tries to do something from far away; however, we should go there, share food with them. All women should go there and sympathize with people.”

(mb-öö/hu/gd)