Stating that marriage was death for her, Nebahat İşçi told that the male dominated system have robbed her of her childhood as well as the most of her adult life. Being forced into marriage at the age of 14 after her parents died, has started a new beginning with her struggle.

 

İşçi who struggled with oppression in society as well as the violence she was subjected to for years, now joined the "Em xwe diparêzin" (We Defend Ourselves) campaign carried out by Tevgera Jinên Azad (TJA) against male-state violence. Now she goes from house to house and tells the women  about how they can defend theirselves.

 

POVERTY AND VIOLENCE

 

İşçi told her story as follows: 

 

"I was given to my uncle after I lost my parents at a young age. He forced me into marriage when I was 14 years old. I did not want to get married, but I was forced to marry. After I got married I had children and became a mother at a very young age. My husband was gambling every day. Sometimes he didn't show up at our house for 10-20 days. When he came home, he would beat me. He beat me day and night. My children were hungry at home, but there was no one to bring home bread. We were living in poverty. In desperation, I would send my children to the neighbors every day, so that they would not starve to death. I was looking for work every day when they were at my neighbors. Finally I found a job. I was selling vegetable seeds. I was only able to pay the rent with what I earned. My children went to sleep hungry most of the days. We used to eat once in a day. I raised my children in a very difficult situation.

 

'I THOUGHT OF KILLING MYSELF SEVERAL TIMES'

 

I wasn't able to meet the needs of my children and I attempted suicide a couple of times. I was in debt and people were coming to collect, but I had nothing to give to them. I thought death was a way out. My husband used to beat me and take all the money I earned and lose it in gambling. The people he owed to threatened me with death all the time."

 

'HDP CALLED ME' 

 

One day, I was pregnant and he wanted to sell the refrigerator. I objected so he beat me again. He attacked me in my sleep. He grabbed my hair and dragged me on the floor. Then he stabbed me and I lost consciousness. He stabbed me in front of my children. I pressed charges more than once but noone did anything. And 6 years ago he left the house. We haven't heard from him ever again. One day Peoples' Democratic Party called me, and my life changed.

 

'I RESISTED AND DIDN'T DIE'

 

I started working at the kitchen of HDP Cizre District Organization. After a while I was employed by the Cizre Municipality as a cleaning worker.  I was ostracized by all of our relatives and acquaintances. "How could a woman do such a job?" I have also been attacked. But I never gave in. I did jobs that men didn't do. I did things that they said "a woman cannot do" very easily. I resisted and did not die.

 

NOW SHE TEACHES SELF-DEFENSE

 

I was fired after the trustee was appointed to the municipality. I am now involved in the work of TJA's "Em xwe diparêzin" campaign. I am going door to door and tell the women what I've been through. And they tell me what they are going through. I tell them that they have to defend themselves and how they can do it. Now I am fighting back not only for myself but hundreds, thousands of women who are subjected to violence. Women should fight back. My call to women is this; Come and let's fight against this violence together. This is the only way to eliminate this violence."

 

 

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut