Helen Ahmed

Sulaymaniyah – Violence is a phenomenon that contradicts humanity, manifesting in multiple forms and systematic methods targeting women, society, and nature. Cultural violence is considered a direct product of power, as wherever authority exists, violence emerges as part of its structure.

Forms of violence vary, including physical, psychological, political, economic, intellectual, and digital, all of which serve to uphold authority. Historically, violence did not begin with the Mirabal sisters’ assassination alone; they became a symbol of resistance and the inspiration for establishing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Since the emergence of patriarchal systems, no day has passed without women facing various forms of violence. Women are killed and persecuted worldwide, while men exercise killing and domination as a perceived legitimate right. Patriarchal culture is the main reason for diminishing women’s value and underlies all forms of their oppression. Today, attacks against women can escalate to mass killings. Political systems are built on gender discrimination, and families, as the smallest units of authority, instill patriarchal mentalities that are continually reinforced. To counter these dominant mentalities and authority, women must organize and unify their efforts to collectively confront all forms of violence and extermination directed against them.

In this regard, Razaw Gul Mahmoud, a lawyer and board member of the March 8 Network, stated that violence enacted through laws against women represents one of the most dangerous forms of discrimination. She explained: “Issues related to legislation and social organization in any society striving for democracy must be based on the rule of law. Drafting laws to protect individual rights is a fundamental duty of a democratic state. Based on this principle, legislation was introduced to ensure the rights of women and children, but some of these laws contained discriminatory elements against women or were later amended or repealed.”

She further clarified, “In non-democratic societies, laws turn into instruments of violence against individuals, such as the 2025 amendments to personal status law and the issuance of the Jaafari personal status law, where violence is exercised through legislation itself. Instead of serving as tools for peace and societal security, these laws create social crises, reinforce violence, and become means to restrict and subjugate women and children.”

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women campaign, Razaw Gul Mahmoud noted that authorities continue to deliberately withhold statistics on violence against women. For instance, a decision by the Kurdistan Regional Government prohibits the publication of statistics on femicides, a policy still in effect. Nevertheless, some journalists and feminist activists continue to uncover these realities through independent investigation and monitoring.

She emphasized that violence is not a passing event but an ongoing phenomenon across past, present, and future, manifesting in multiple forms such as political, legal, and social violence, all affecting society and women. She affirmed that women often face violence within the courts, where cases are left without fair resolutions or forced into tribal settlements, perpetuating violence instead of ending it. “The continued disregard of women’s cases by the courts and their conversion into superficial solutions exposes women to greater violence, requiring serious efforts to reform this reality and ensure genuine justice,” she said.

Reducing violence, she added, is directly linked to raising awareness within both society and individuals. Kurdish women have historically faced multiple forms of violence, which continue to cast shadows on society today. However, passive acceptance is no longer an option. Women are working to weaken this phenomenon, though resistance to violence is currently declining.

She added, “In the past, society strongly rejected any violence against a child or woman. Today, manifestations of violence have noticeably increased, and crime rates have risen after once being rare. These crimes are now exploited to pressure those defending rights and confronting violence. The solution lies in strengthening the awareness of individuals and society.”

In conclusion, she stated, “Through raising awareness, we aim to reduce manifestations of violence, ensuring that women and children in the future live in a safe environment free from patriarchal mentality, opening a path for future generations toward lives of peace and stability.