Serêkaniyê – In Serêkaniyê, where many different communities live, women have faced many challenges. They cannot go out and whenever they go out they are subjected to verbal and physical abuse in the streets.

55-year-old M.C. told us that the lives of women in Serêkaniyê are getting worse day by day. “People are suffering from the attacks of armed groups after Turkey’s invasion and the high prices of products. We are deprived of our right to work due to fear caused by the armed groups. We live in a city, where armed groups kill civilians and steal the civilians’ belongings. I don’t feel safe anymore. The members of the armed groups entered the house of my neighbors and stole their belongings. Women no longer dare to go out.”

“Women have no right and freedom”

M.C. talked about the situation of women in the city and she said, “Women have no right and freedom now. They cannot meet their own needs. They are like prisoners in their homes. They cannot go out because they are at risk whenever they go out. Their rights are being taken from them.”

She subjected to verbal and physical abuse

45-year-old S.E. talked about water shortage in their region. “When we don’t have water at home, I have to go to the fountains outside the city with my children to carry water to the home. I have been subjected to verbal and physical abuse when I go to the fountains. I'm afraid of sending my daughters out to buy something. Life in this city has turned into a nightmare for women. Last year, my daughter was kidnapped and the man, who kidnapped her, wanted to marry her. She was 16 and I didn’t allow him. Since then, I have kept my daughter at home.”

They cannot access to health services

26-year-old N.H. has faced the same things. She is a kidney patient and receives dialysis treatment. “I suffer twice whenever I go out to receive dialysis treatment because of the lack of doctors and health centers. I mostly cannot find any doctor and I go to a pharmacy to buy medicines to reduce my pain.”