Birleşik Metal-İş Women Take To The Streets: "We Are Women, Unionized, We Are Rebelling Against Violence!"

November 22, 2025 - Women workers who are members of the Birleşik Metal-İş Union demonstrated their organized strength ahead of November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Following an experience-sharing meeting in İzmir, the women decided to gather in Gebze Kent Square on November 24 to voice their demands. The core demands of the metal worker women are: Organized struggle against violence, harassment, and exploitation; ratification of ILO 190; and effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention.

Women workers in Turkey's metal sector are bringing their union solidarity to the fight against violence against women. The Birleşik Metal-İş Union is escalating its campaign by organizing both informative events and calls to action during the week of November 25.

 

♀️ Experience Sharing and Legal Briefing in İzmir

The first stop in the struggle was İzmir. Women metal workers gathered at the union's İzmir Branch office, organized by the Women's Commission. The event served as a productive platform where female members shared their experiences and discussed ways to expand the organized fight against violence and harassment.

During the legal session, Muradiye Kavut, one of the union's lawyers, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the rights protected by Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women, which is one of the essential protective mechanisms for women against violence.

The gathering concluded with powerful slogans reflecting the determination of the women workers: "Long live women's solidarity!", "We are not silent, we are not afraid, we do not obey!", "End violence, harassment, and exploitation!", "Woman, Life, Freedom!"

 

✊ We Are Taking Action: Showing Our Strength in Gebze

Following the solidarity displayed in İzmir, the Birleşik Metal-İş Women's Commission is preparing to take their struggle to the streets. The union issued a second statement calling on all female members to gather at Gebze Kent Square on Monday, November 24, at 18:00.

The call to action emphasized that the fight against violence, harassment, and exploitation experienced by women in all areas of life – at home, at work, and on the street – must be conducted through organized power.

Clear Message from Birleşik Metal-İş Women Workers: "To the organized struggle against violence, harassment, and inequality! We are gathering in Gebze Kent Square to speak our minds and raise our demands."

 

📜 Demands Are Clear: Ratify ILO 190 and Implement the Istanbul Convention

The central focus of these organized actions by metal worker women lies in the demand for the full implementation of national and international mechanisms to prevent violence against women:

• Ratify ILO 190: The immediate ratification by Turkey of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Convention No. 190, which aims to prevent violence and harassment in the world of work.

• Istanbul Convention Saves Lives: The demand for the reinstatement and effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention, from which Turkey withdrew.

• Enforce Law 6284: The full and comprehensive enforcement of Law No. 6284 by all institutions, which is designed to protect women's lives.

During the gathering in Gebze, the women workers will once again declare their commitment to fighting inequality in the workplace and society with the slogans: "Long live women's solidarity! Long live our organized struggle!"