Joining the Army Cant Liberate Women

Writer Duygu Asena, journalist Berat Guncikan and university students BK and Melike Tumer are among those women who are discussing military service.These four women talked about "obligatory," and "professional" military service to Bianet.

Guncikan: They are trying to trap and rebut the youth

"As the mother of a boy, I regard conscientious objection as a right," journalist Berat Guncikan argued.

"Military service, not only in Turkey but all over the world, is aimed at trapping, surrounding and rebutting the youth," she said.

"I find it very stupid when some women say they want to serve in military. Moreover, they explain this as equality between men and women. Gaining the right to kill cannot attain equality. This is not going to prevent discrimination.. "  Guncikan told Bianet.

BK: I want to serve in military, but I am against obligatory military service

BK, who has dreamed of becoming a soldier all her life, could not fulfil this dream because she is a woman. She is against obligatory military service and supports those who conscientiously object to serving in the military.

"Some serve in military for 18 months although they don't want to, and endure many difficulties," said BK. "This must be something that really wears down a person," the 22-year-old university student told Bianet.

"Becoming a soldier should be a matter of love. It should depend on whether a person really wants to become a soldier. If not, military service would be a dreading institution for both men and women":

Women should also be allowed to serve in military if they want to. With the current regulations, women can only become officers. They should be able to become privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains and majors like men," said BK.

BK, the daughter of a police officer wants to "serve her country by becoming a soldier" and ties her desire to the "strong status of the army in Turkey":

"If military service becomes professional, such criteria would be lifted. Once serving in the military becomes voluntary, there will be need for more people. And maybe then, I will be able to serve in the military. I am still dreaming of this!"

Asena: Military service is a kind of slavery

"It is a kind of slavery to force people to become soldiers and fight for a couple of men who are itching for power," said writer Duygu Asena.  She advocates that "men should have the right to say 'no' to serving in the military."

"Military service should be shorter and voluntary. Unfortunately, the world is still based on defence. That is why no one can reject military service," Asena told Bianet.

"Women know that military service is not an act of heroism but savagery and primitiveness instead," said Asena. "There can be no equality in unfairness," she argued:

"This cannot be called equality or improvement. Women cannot regard this as a gain. Obligatory military service is not something to be defended."

Tumer: Men and women have to organize against military service

Melike Tumer, a university student desires a world where "the army institution does not exist."

"Equality between men and women cannot be attained by sending women to the army. Equality does not mean that everything men do is right and women should be able to do the same."

Tumer thinks that people are brainwashed in the army. "And this is justified by saying they are defending the country," she said.

"I am against military service. But professional military service instead of an obligatory one could be less eroding for people." (GE/BB/NK/EA/NM)