On the 3rd day of the march started by the Free Women's Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) from Amed (Diyarbakır) to Ankara with the slogan "We Walk to Freedom with Hope", women reached to Riha (Urfa). Women, who walk with the peace symbol white scarf, walked in the "Freedom Road", which has a symbolic meaning in the history of Kurdish freedom movement. 

 

After Curnê Reş (Hilvan), the women marched to Xelfetî (Halfeti) and were greeted with applause and victory signs. Today, women will march to Amara, the village where Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan was born. Participants of the march from different cities explained their aims and demands. 

 

Yüksel Çelik said: "Mr Öcalan started this process for peace and human rights. Women will also complete this process. Just as we liberated Kobanê and Shengal from DAESH, we will bring peace. We are strong and hopeful."

 

Leyla Kanaş stated that as mothers they do not want war and said: "If this war ends, not only Kurdish mothers will win. Turkish, Arab and Palestinian mothers will also win. As mothers, we do not want to bury our children. But peace cannot be one-sided. We are walking to Ankara for peace. Kurdish and Turkish people should come together and stop this bloodshed. We can sacrifice our lives for peace if necessary. This war must be stopped." 

 

Şükran Efetürk stated that she participated in the march with demands such as the recognition of Abdullah Öcalan's "right to hope", the right to mother tongue and the release of political prisoners. "Mr Öcalan says, 'Society cannot be liberated without the liberation of women'.  We know very well that Mr Abdullah Öcalan wants a peace led by women. Only free women can liberate society. We are making our march with this in mind. When we reach Ankara, we will have a good meeting with Mr Abdullah Öcalan. We believe that we will realise a free and democratic life under the leadership of women," she said.  

 

Ayşe Şehriban Demirel pointed out that the march was important for women and added: "The recognition of Abdullah Öcalan's 'right to hope' will pave the way for the freedom of all women and the socialisation of peace. Our march route from Amed to Ankara has a great meaning both for the Kurdish freedom fighters and for the 'right to hope'. The solution and peace that the Kurdish People's Leader is trying to create and keep alive is actually the freedom of women. We need to increase the struggle until we ensure the freedom of Mr Abdullah Öcalan." 

 

MA / Sema Bingol