We spoke with a female student from Hacettepe University about the protests against femicides and demands for a safe campus.
*Beyza Nur İsli
***
In October, protests against femicides were held on university campuses all over Turkey after a man killed Aynenur Halil and İkbal Uzuner. Hundreds of students came together at Hacettepe University upon the call of the Hacettepe Women’s Studies Community (HÜKÇAT). Students shouted out their demands against the violence women face on and off campus.
Following these demonstrations, we spoke with Hacettepe University student Esra about demands for a safe campus. Esra said, “As a university student, we are constantly experiencing anxiety while we should feel safe on campus,” and explained the situation as follows:
“As stated in HÜKÇAT’s statement, women are subjected to harassment and violence while hitchhiking, in the classroom, in the library, and even in the hospital. We only demand an equal, free, and non-violent life. It is excruciating that even such a simple right requires a struggle.”
“The murder of Aynenur and Iqbal affected us deeply. These murders show once again that even women’s right to live is not secured. Our common demand in the protest was a ‘safe campus’. Not only campuses but every area of life needs to be safe for women. But first, this demand must be met in these spaces where we receive education and live.”
“Our common demand: End the violence”
Esra explained the processes experienced in the reporting of harassment on campus as follows:
“It is challenging to get support from the administration regarding harassment incidents on campus. Many of our friends report harassment, but the process is neither transparent nor ends anywhere. This situation makes us even more isolated. While harassers roam freely, we have to be constantly on the alert. Universities must develop more effective policies to be women-friendly and safe spaces.”
“We organize protests to raise our voices against femicides and lack of security on campus. Our march in Hacettepe was very impressive; women and LGBTI+ individuals, we were all together. We all have a common demand: Let this violence end now. University administrations should respond to these demands not only in words but also in practice.”
“As university students, we don’t only want to receive education on campuses, but we also want to live safely and freely. We spend most of our days on campus, these are our socializing areas. Being safe on campuses, which occupy a large place in our lives, and living without feeling anxious is an elementary request, a very understandable demand. Where will we live if these basic needs are not met even on campus? Universities should be places where women, LGBTI+ individuals and disadvantaged groups are equal, free and safe. That is our most natural right.”
Esra’s stories reveal the difficulties and demands women face at universities. The demonstration at Hacettepe University and similar protests again show the strong demand for a safe life for women.
