A Strong Voice Raised Against Violence Toward Women

Bornova Municipality organized an extensive program in cooperation with BAYETAV for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25. The program included talks, panels, documentary screenings, workshops, and a theater performance. While various aspects of the women’s struggle were discussed across different parts of the district, working women gathered in Büyükpark to deliver a strong message of solidarity. Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that violence against women is not destiny and underlined their commitment to advancing equality in Bornova.

Bornova Municipality marked November 25 with impactful events held across the district. Organized in cooperation with BAYETAV, the program amplified women’s voices through a wide range of activities, from talks and workshops to film screenings and theater performances.

Talks, music performances, and academic perspectives

At the event held at Nevzat Kavalar Cultural Center, Prof. Dr. Aksu Bora delivered a striking talk titled “Can a Woman Become a Hero?”, addressing women’s societal roles. The program also featured a moving performance by the Defiz Music Group.

At BAYETAV Academy in EVKA-3, director Eylem Şen’s documentary “Arkadaşım Pınar” (My Friend Pınar) was screened. Following the screening, Şen held a talk where she discussed the story behind the film and shared insights on the women’s struggle.

In-depth discussions on the psychological and digital dimensions of violence

At BAYETAV Art, Psychologist Şeyma Büyükurvay Şatay explored the psychosocial dimensions of violence in her presentation titled “The Subject’s Struggle Against Violence.” Afterwards, Lawyer Necmiye Ece Uncu Danyıldız gave a talk on “The Face of Digital Violence Against Women,” highlighting the hidden impacts of modern forms of abuse.

The event also included the workshops “Women Write Letters” and “What Do We Women Want?” where participants expressed their thoughts and emotions freely.

A powerful woman’s story on stage

At the Çamdibi Nedret Güvenç Stage, the Bornova Municipal City Theater performed “Yaralarım Aşktandır” (My Wounds Are From Love), written by Şebnem İşgüzel, performed by Nazan Kesal, and directed by Berfin Zenderlioğlu. The play, which brought women’s invisible wounds to the stage, received great applause from the audience. Beste Eşki, the spouse of Mayor Ömer Eşki, also attended the performance.

Working women gather in Büyükpark

The November 25 gathering of working women in Bornova took place in Büyükpark. At the event, the statement prepared by the Women’s Committee of DİSK General İş Union Branch No. 7 was read by Chair Gülistan Tilkici. Violence against women was addressed through a theatrical presentation, while participants chanted slogans, demonstrating the power of solidarity. The program concluded with the symbolic release of balloons into the sky.

Mayor Eşki: “Violence against women is not destiny; we will change it together”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that November 25 is not only a day of remembrance but also a day of struggle and solidarity. He said, “Violence against women is one of the deepest wounds of our society and it is never a ‘private matter’; it is everyone’s problem. We continue to work for a Bornova where women are empowered, live freely, and experience equality in all areas of life. Every event we organize is a stance against the normalization of violence—an act of resistance. Violence against women is not destiny; we will change it together.”