With the organization of DNAK (Doğubeyazıt Noah's Ark Search and Rescue Association), we met with 104 nature-loving women from all over Turkey to say “No to Violence against Women” in Ağrı between January 26-31.
President of Doğubeyazıt Noah's Ark Search and Rescue Association Ahmet Ertugrul, aka Paraşüt Ahmet, described the event as follows; “We started our “free women-only” events in 2022 to raise awareness about violence against women. Our activities will continue at full speed in 2023. We planned our first event for 2023 with the slogan of “No to violence against women at Cybele's cry”, with both nature and cultural tours in Ağrı and Iğdır between 26-31 January 2023. We brought together 104 women of all ages from all over Turkey. While getting to know the natural beauties and culture of our region, we said “no to violence against women” and “no to all forms of violence against all living things” at every step.
“It is not in vain that this event is organized in Ağrı. According to Turkish mythology, mountains are women, they are considered to be the creator, protector and nurturer of all blessings. The summit of Turkey, Mount Ararat, with all its majesty, all its beauty, all its lands and stones, all its women and men, all its birds and flowers, is the place that most suits to be the protector and voice of all women who are subjected to violence in our country!” He explained why they organized this event in Ağrı.
Women who came to Ağrı by bus or plane from different cities of Turkey by their own means met at the teacher's house named after Burçin Uysal, who lost her life while trying to save their students in the fire that broke out in the school where she worked in the city center of Ağrı. In Ağrı, where there was no snow all winter, the beginning of snowfall with the arrival of women was interpreted as the fact that women came with their blessings.
The event started with enjoying the thermal pools in Diyadin Hot Springs, continued with a 8-hour walk in Diyadin Canyon under the flaky snow at -5 degrees. The women, who passed through the icy waters of the Murat River in Diyadin Canyon, crossed the snowy hills, and finished their walk with dances and songs, gave the message that they can easily overcome all kinds of difficulties once they are together.
On the third day of the event, 104 women walked under the snow to İshakpaşa Palace, which became the subject of legends and became the dungeon of Pasha's daughter Gülbahar due to her father's violence, starting from Doğubeyazıt and said “No to Violence against Women” so that other women would not experience what Gülbahar went through.
The event was not limited to Ağrı, women who visited the natural wonders of Salt Caves and Iğdır Center in Iğdır, chatted with the public and tradesmen and shared their rhetoric of “no to all kinds of violence” with the people of the region. 104 women, who spent the last day of the event playing snowballs, said goodbye to Ağrı by receiving their event certificates and wishing to come back again.
Ahmet Ertuğrul stated that they wanted to underline that the cities of Ağrı and Iğdır are extremely comfortable and safe for women to travel, contrary to prejudices, and concluded the event by saying, "We welcome all women in our country to Mount Ararat, the protector of Anatolian women, our activities will continue."
Activities of DNAK and Ahmet Ertuğrul Instagram ve Facebook You can follow them on social media accounts.
Things to do in Ağrı I suggest you take a look at my post.