Academician of European University of Lefke (EUL) Department of Psychology Assist. Prof. Dr. Cemaliye Direktör made some statements on the occasion of “November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”.

All acts and attitudes that violate women’s rights and freedoms are considered as violence against women

Direktör said that “No violence at all! Violence against women is an element that emerges in many forms such as emotional, social, physical, sexual, economic and digital. All acts and attitudes that violate women’s rights and freedoms are considered as violence against women” and pointed out that women won’t be able to be free in the patriarchal system, in which the man is seen as superior, considered more sublime, and the woman succumbs to the role of a woman in the shadow of a man without objecting to her feminine roles. Pointing out that patriarchal patterns of behaviour imposed on women raises a problem beyond duties and responsibilities, Direktör stated the vital problem as being exposed to violence and / or being murdered when going beyond the characteristics expected by the society. Direktör went on to say that “The killing of a woman only because she is a woman is called a woman’s murder. Even though women’s murders have been going on since ancient times, the number of murders is increasing because they are made visible. So this is a social problem. Women are being killed by their husband, ex-husband or ex-lover, brother, father and so on. in other words, they are killed by a man they know” and listed the violent behaviours as; interfering with the clothes worn, scrambling the phone, interfering with whom you can make friends, determining the hours of being out.

Establishing a gender equality perspective can prevent “gender-based violence” 

Direktör said that “It must be our duty to stop and prevent violence. Developing sensitivity to sexism and related problems, raising awareness in the society, eliminating and preventing discrimination based on the gender, sexual orientation and gender identity of the individual should be the primary service of every professional group working with people such as health, education and law” and added that only establishing a gender equality perspective can prevent “gender-based violence”. Direktör also pointed out that all forms of violence should prevent discrimination, marginalization, labelling, exclusion and neglect.