Kiyara Sîgrado, founder and manager of Amina, an NGO based in Italy, drew attention to that nearly seven million women were subjected to violence only in Italy in 2021. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, she called on women to “unite and join forces. We should demand the repeal of laws that oppress women. I hope all women have their right to vote and stand for election and their social and political rights.”

EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo- International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world. While all women see March 8 as an important day for themselves, they also protect the legacy of women's resistance from history to today. Women of Rojava began to celebrate women’s day in 2004. They continue to show historical resistance against ISIS and are supported by women all around the world. Kiyara Sîgrado, founder and manager of Amina, a non-governmental organization based in Italy, spoke to NuJINHA about their activities for International Women’s Day.

“Gender-based violence increases after the Covid-19 outbreak”

Kiyara Sigrado drew attention to that nearly seven million women were subjected to violence in 2021 only in Italy. Speaking about the works of Amina, she said, “Amina is a non-governmental organization focusing on women's rights, particularly maternal issues. We’ve come a long way in recognizing women’s rights in Europe but in 2021, the number of women killed by their husbands and relatives in Italy increased by eight percent, more than 100 women were killed. 31.5 percent of women (seven million women aged 16-70 in Italy) were subjected to psychological and physical violence and rape. 30% of women were subjected to both economic and psychological violence. Violence against women has increased during lockdowns in the last two years.”

“Measures should be taken to improve the situation of women”

Emphasizing that measures should be taken to improve the situation of women in Italy, Kiyara Sigrado said, “These figures reveal that more work should be carried out to improve the situation of women in Italy, a European country. I would like to say that millions of women said they were abused when they were children. The mistreatment of women during childbirth is both a form of gender-based violence and a form of institutional violence. Women have the right to decide over their own bodies. The concept of safe motherhood shouldn’t be defined only as reduction of maternal and infant mortality resulting from pregnancy and delivery; it should include respect for women's right to self-determination, dignity, feelings, and choices.”

“New ideas should be generated”

Stating that women should celebrate women's achievements on International Women’s Day, Kiyara Sigrado said, “We celebrate the legal, social, political and economic achievements of women on March 8.  We should generate new ideas to empower women. For instance, Italy hasn’t had a female prime minister or president until now. So we should stop and think about how we can promote the role of women and celebrate their achievements.”

“Women all around the world should unite”

Kiyara Sigrado wished a happy International Women’s Day to women all around the world and said, “We should unite and join forces. We should demand the repeal of laws that oppress women. I hope all women have their right to vote and stand for election and their social and political rights.”