The keys to the red door are in women’s hands
They gathered in the square for equality, justice, and the right to life

An event organized by Bornova Belediyesi and the Women’s Committee of DİSK Genel-İş Sendikası İzmir 7 No’lu Şube for International Women's Day was held with wide participation at Büyükpark. During the event, issues symbolically written on a red door were “opened” with keys representing solidarity and organization. Speakers emphasized women’s demands for equality, secure employment, a life free from violence, and organized struggle.

In the event, which symbolically illustrated the challenges faced by women, the problems written on the red door set up in the square were unlocked with keys labeled “solidarity, organization, justice, right to life, equality, public care, social rights, and secure employment.” This act symbolized the collective will to find solutions. The women’s rhythm group energized the crowd, while participants danced halay and horon and chanted slogans supporting women’s solidarity.

The event was attended by Arzu Çerkezoğlu, Beste Eşki, wife of Ömer Eşki, Zahide Kurun, Rahşan Nazlıoğlu, Işın Sözer, Uğur Nazlıoğlu, municipal employees, representatives of associations, and many residents of Bornova. The program began with a press statement read by Gülistan Tilkici on behalf of the DİSK Genel-İş İzmir Branch No. 7 Women’s Committee.

Arzu Çerkezoğlu: “Women’s organized struggle will change this system”

Speaking at the event, Arzu Çerkezoğlu stated that women have been fighting inequality and discrimination for centuries and that these problems continue clearly in working life. She emphasized that women face lower wages, insecure, and flexible working conditions starting from the recruitment process. She also noted that the burden of care work is largely placed on women.

Çerkezoğlu stressed that women must fight together for equal pay for equal work, safe working conditions, and social rights, saying:

“We are expanding our struggle to remove the barriers to women’s participation in working life, to share the burden of care through public policies, and to end violence against women.”

She also highlighted the importance of protecting the Istanbul Convention and effectively implementing Law No. 6284. Çerkezoğlu pointed out the significance of ratifying ILO Convention 190, which addresses violence and harassment in workplaces globally.

Emphasizing the strong potential for social change where the women’s movement and labor movement intersect, she called on all women workers to organize in unions:

“We call on all women who sustain life with their labor at home and at work to become union members and take part in organized struggle. Take my hand, get organized. Because we know that where women exist, there is hope; where DİSK exists, there is hope.”

Duygu Bölük: “The women’s issue is a matter of democracy and equal citizenship”

Speaking on behalf of Mayor Ömer Eşki, Bornova Deputy Mayor Duygu Bölük emphasized that March 8 is not only a day of celebration but also a symbol of labor and rights struggles.

She stated that although women have been present in every field of social life throughout history with their labor, they still do not receive equal pay for equal work, are underrepresented in decision-making mechanisms, and are often forced to live under the shadow of violence.

“If women are not free in a country, that country is not free. If women are not safe, that country is not safe.”

Bölük emphasized that women’s rights are a matter of human rights rather than political debate. She added that the municipality develops projects to strengthen women’s participation in social and working life, noting that many directorates within the municipality are led by women managers. As a local administration, Bornova Municipality continues efforts to increase women’s employment, implement determined policies against violence, and ensure women’s equal participation in all areas of life.

Concluding with a message of solidarity, Bölük said:

“Equality is not a privilege; it is a right. A Turkey where women are free and equal is possible. We are working to make that possibility a reality.”

Message of solidarity and struggle

Throughout the event, slogans symbolizing women’s solidarity were chanted, and music and rhythm performances created an enthusiastic atmosphere in the square. The gathering, organized within the scope of International Women’s Day, ended with strong messages emphasizing the determination to grow the struggle for equality, freedom, and justice together.