Statement on Male Violence and Sexual Harassment in Kurdish Studies

[This letter was issued in English and Kurdish by a group of anonymous women within the field of Kurdish studies. When asked for background and context, they shared the following via email: This letter is written by a group of women in Kurdish Studies. We would like to call attention to the long-time neglected issues of male violence (both direct and indirect forms) and sexual abuse in academia. We express our support for women who have been targeted and harassed by anyone speaking from the position of power. Kurdish women are underrepresented in academia and we hope that this letter opens a venue for further discussion on why this is the case and how it can be changed towards the better.]

Male Violence and Sexual Harassment in Kurdish Studies

Women are sexually and physically abused every day. Male violence and sexual harassment can be physical, psychological, verbal or online. Any behavior of sexual, psychological and physical nature targeting women’s integrity is extremely stressful and life-threatening. Although the definition of male violence and sexual harassment is clear in universities’ policy documents, violations of the policy are neglected and normalized as part of the unequal power relations existing in academia. Both male violence and sexual harassment are systemic problems.

We, a group of women scholars, students, and researchers in Kurdish Studies, condemn any form of male violence and sexual harassment. We stand up against male violence and sexual harassment and remind everyone that none of us are alone anymore.

The abusers silence women in multiple ways:

they re-victimize the survivors by invalidating the violence as slander and by twisting the boundaries of consent and coercion;
they ostracize and shame women for being abused, and
they call for the support of the senior members (women & men) to legitimize the violence.

Bureaucratic tools are often used to (re)produce abusive sexual relations. The police and the academic structures are often misogynistic and patriarchal.

We extend our support to our brave colleagues who struggle against any form of male violence and sexual harassment.

We condemn any form of disrespectful actions of our colleagues. We also condemn anyone who gives support to the perpetrators. It is easier to talk about sensitive topics when there is no risk for one’s self. But genuine support means standing with women who have been targeted by those in positions of power.

We are stronger together. We say it loud one more time: Women in Kurdish Studies act in solidarity!

Signed anonymously by a group of women in Kurdish Studies

Tundî û Destdirêjiya Cinsî ya Mêran di Lêkolînên Kurdî de

Jin, her roj rastî destdirêjiya cinsî û fîzîkî tên. Tundiya mêran û destdirêjiya cinsî dikarin bi awayên laşî, derûnî, devkî an jî online bin. Tevgerên psîkolojîk, cinsî û fîzîkî ku hevgirtina jinê hedef digire bi xwe re zext û xetereya jiyanê derdixe holê. Tevî ku di belgeyên polîtîkaya zanîngehan de pênaseya tundiya mêran û destdirêjiya cinsî bi zelalî hatibe ravekirin jî binpêkirinên polîtîkayê wekî parçeyek ji têkiliya hêzên newekhev ên di akademiyan de têne paşguhkirin û normalîzekirin e. Hem tundiya mêr, hem jî destdirêjiya cinsî pirsgirêkên pergalê ne.

Em, wekî komek ji jinên zanyar, xwendekar û lêkolînerên di Lêkolînên Kurdî de, her cûreya tûndiya mêr û destdirêjiya zayendî şermezar dikin. Em li dijî tundiya mêran û destdirêjiya cinsî radiwestin û em dixwazin bi bîr bînin ku êdî kes ji me ne bi tenê ye.

Destdirêjker bi gelek awayan jinan bêdeng dikin:

Ew, tundiyê dîsa li kesên rizgarbûyî dikin piştre dibêjin ew ne rast e bêbextî ye, sînorên razîbûnê û qanekirinê ditewişînin û wan kesan ji nû ve mexdûr dikin.
Ew, jinan ji ber destdirêjiya ku hatiye serê wan, direcimînin û wan dixin ber fediyê.
Ew, banga piştevaniya endamên payebilind (jin û mêran) dikin da ku tund û tujî yê rewa bibînin.

Amûrên burokratîk bi gelemperî ji bo hilberîna têkiliyên cinsî yên destdirêjker tên bikaranîn. Polîs û avayên akademîkî bi gelemperî misyonîst û baviksalar in.

Em piştgiriya hevalbendên xwe yên wêrek ên ku li dijî her cûreyên tundiya mêran û destdirêjiya cinsî têdikoşin, dikin.

Em her cûreya kiryarên bêbingeh ên li ser hevkarên xwe şermezar dikin. Herwiha, em her kesên ku piştgiriyê didin tawanbaran jî rexne dikin. Gava xetereyek ji bo kesekî tune be ewçax axaftina li ser mijarên hesas hêsantir dibe. Piştgiriya ji dil ew e ku mirov li cem wan jinan bisekine ku ew bûne hedefa êrîşa kesên bihêz û payebilind.

Em bi hev re xurtir in. Em careke din bi dengekî bilind dibêjin: Jin di lêkolînên Kurdî de bi hevkarî tev digerin!

Ev nivîs bi anonîmî ji hêla komek jinên ku Lêkolînên Kurdî dikin ve hatiye amadekirin.