Women Marched Against Patriarchy

Hundreds of feminists marched through the crowded Istiklal avenue in Istanbul last night and voiced their reaction to the patriarchy, exploitation of women's labor, violence towards women, imposed social roles, militarism and religious repression.

With placards and flags which read "bring on the state, bring on the police, bring on the husbands; we'll resist, we'll rebel, we're free", "world would move if only women were free", "we won't be anybody's honor".

Handan Koç read a press release when the crowd reached in front of Lycee Galatasaray:

"We declare our solidarity with those whose labor is exploited working at home like a slave and with a low salary at work; with those who face violence and harassment at the factory, at home, fro their husband or brother or their father; with those who lost their lives in forced abortions or forced to sell their bodies; with those who face rape at wars, under custody or on the streets".

This was a part of a series of events throughout the country to celebrate March 8, International Women's Day, organized by women's groups and other NGO's in solidarity.(EZO/AO/EÜ)