On November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UBP Nicosia District Chairman and MP Dr. Ahmet Savaşan said in his message: “We are determined to do our part in the fight against violence against women”.
25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UBP Nicosia District Chairman and MP Dr. Ahmet Savaşan pointed out that the heaviest ‘violence against women’ is experienced in Gaza, where 4 women are killed every hour, and stated that the world is watching this. Reminding that the Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to violence similar to what happened in Gaza for many years, Ahmet Savaşan pointed out that the meaning of the decisive importance of Turkey and its guarantorship, which has enabled the Turkish Cypriot people to live in security on the island for nearly half a century, is much more visible when the events happening next to us are taken into consideration.
INEQUALITY IS THE CAUSE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN!
Ahmet Savaşan pointed out that there are still women in the world who are subjected to psychological and physical violence, She stated that women all over the world experience inequality at home, at work, in politics and in many other areas of life. Stating that the main factor underlying violence against women stems from inequality and traditional attitudes towards women, Savaşan said: “The existence of equality in laws is important but insufficient. Equality can only be possible with a change in the dominant mindset. For this, it is an inevitable need to make trainings and awareness raising activities sustainable.”.
TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES FUEL VIOLENCE
Pointing out that the tendency towards violence against women increases in societies where traditional gender roles based on inequality and hierarchy are reinforced, Savaşan pointed out that in many parts of the world, women are still subjected to physical violence for burning food, refusing sexual intercourse or not obeying their husbands' rules.
PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE IS VERY COMMON
Stating that women's mental health is targeted more than their bodies, Savaşan underlined that women are more often subjected to psychological violence through actions such as shouting, intimidation, swearing or insulting, not allowing them to see family and friends, keeping them under constant control under the pretext of jealousy, threatening and blackmailing. Savaşan drew attention to the need for continuous awareness-raising trainings for both families and workplaces on this issue and the need to empower women.
EFFECTIVE COOPERATION IS NEEDED
Emphasizing that the existing deficiencies in the areas of ensuring gender equality, women's full and effective enjoyment of equal opportunities and prevention of violence against women and girls should be identified with a realistic perspective and eliminated as soon as possible, Ahmet Savaşan stated that the government, non-governmental organizations, women's organizations, public institutions and universities should work in cooperation to prevent violence against women.
WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO OUR PART
“We must all work together to raise stronger individuals and to reach a more sensitive social structure in combating violence against women,” said Ahmet Savaşan, “it is a necessity of modernity that women, our life partners, our sisters, our mothers, our children to whom we entrust our future, have the same rights as men who make up half of this society. With these thoughts; we state that we will not be a partner to violence against women, that we will not be a bystander, and that we are determined to do our duty as men in the fight against violence against women.”.
