Gülseren Onanç
How will we remember 2021?
The deepening climate crisis, the deaths and restrictions caused by Covid-19, floods, fires, the United States Capitol attack, the military coup in Myanmar, the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the refugee crisis, the rise of right-wing politics, the growing economic crisis, Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, the weakening of democratic institutions…
It can be argued that the 21st year of the 21st century may go down in the history of the world as a year of regression in which humanity moved away from civilization.
It is also possible to look at 2021 from a different perspective.
Feminists like me can consider 2021 the year women gave life to civilization. The 21st year of the 21st century can be written as a year of women’s resistance. As Şirin Tekeli once said, the 21st century is becoming the “Century of Women”. Women are writing the history of civilization in 2021.
In the SES Equality, Justice Women’s Platform, we gathered events that have encouraged and inspired women. The stories of women will give you a different perspective of 2021.
I want to mention some from the list:
Afghan Women Resisting the Taliban
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has irrevocably changed the lives of millions of Afghans, especially women. Afghan women are fighting with great courage for their right to equal education and work and their right to participate in the government, even though the Taliban cannot even tolerate women in these spheres. Despite everything, many continue to engage in journalism, to resist and claim their rights. Others take to the streets to protest, demand their rights, raise their voices for the right to humane life, education and work.
Women’s Movement Fighting Against Religious Conservative Forces in Turkey
The women’s movement in Turkey, which did not surrender to the rising authoritarianism, always managed to maintain its determined struggle for rights and became the “pole star” of the opposition. This year, the women’s movement raised its voice against many social problems with courage, defended its demands in the streets and formed strong bonds of solidarity amongst women. Arguing against withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, women defended the convention wholeheartedly, resorted to judicial remedies, and worked with the EU and international institutions to challenge the withdrawal process.
Although Turkey’s formal withdrawal from the convention on July 1st could not be prevented, the women’s movement never stopped fighting. While many objections to the exit from the treaty were filed to the Council of State, women defended the treaty in the streets by saying, “Istanbul Convention Keeps Alive”, and they continue to do so. Women’s Platform for Equality, Turkey (EŞİK), composed of hundreds of organizations and activists, maintains a feminist opposition.
Polish women activists resisting the abortion ban
Polish women have been fighting a struggle similar to the women’s movement in Turkey for years. Faced with the abortion ban that came into effect earlier this year and the threat of withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, Polish activists are fighting bravely against the right-wing government and the Catholic Church. Women who have repeatedly taken to the streets in mass to have the law repealed in Poland are now closer than ever to a final victory.
Women leaders in office to bring equality and prosperity
Although gender equality in political representation in the world has still not reached the desired level, many developments have reinforced hope in 2021. Magdalena Andersson made history as Sweden’s first female prime minister after being elected the new leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party. In the new coalition government established in Germany, gender equality was ensured.
Kaja Kallas became the first female prime minister elected by Estonia since 1991 when it gained independence. Vyosa Osmani was elected President of Kosovo. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa became the country’s first female prime minister in the island country of the South Pacific, Samoa. Natalia Gavrilita was appointed prime minister of Moldova. Sandra Mason was elected the first president of Barbados.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was elected the first woman and African director-general in the history of the World Trade Organization in 2021, fights poverty all over the world, warns rich countries against the global vaccine inequality during Covid-19, asks pharmaceutical companies to produce a Covid-19 vaccine for everyone in the world, or voluntarily give their technology to developing countries.
Women who take care of the environment
The resistance started by the people of the region against the stone quarry in Rize İkizdere and the coal mine in Muğla İkizköy stood out in 2021. Again, the women of the region are at the forefront of the struggle in the resistance against the gold mining that will be carried out in the Kaz Mountains. During their resistance, women tried to make their voices heard, sometimes by getting in front of the dippers, sometimes by resisting the police, and sometimes with the videos they recorded.
The open letter addressed to world leaders by four young girls, Greta, Vanessa, Dominica and Mitzi, who are among the world’s leading climate activists, at the UN Climate Summit COP26, became one of the biggest call for world political leaders. About 2 million people signed the letter.
Female athletes questioning the system
The year 2021 was a year when female athletes challenged the sexist and brutal conditions of the established order. They opposed sexist and outdated dress codes and defended their mental health. American gymnast Simon Biles announced that he was withdrawing from the team finals at the Tokyo Olympics “to focus on her mental health”. The team announced that they supported her. Tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros after refusing to attend press conferences, saying it could trigger her anxiety. Osaka wasn’t just protecting her mental health. She gave the message that one of the most elite sports in the world cannot be controlled by the ruling circles. Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has publicly announced that she was sexually assaulted by former Vice Premier of China, Zhang Gaoli. Shuai’s disclosure was recorded as an important move that encouraged athletic women. Although she later withdrew her disclosure after receiving threats, she left a brave voice to the world.
Women athletes who are the pride of Turkey
The success of female athletes made us smile in Turkey in 2021. A National Women’s Volleyball Team won the 5th medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the bronze medal at the CEV European Championship.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, female athletes competing for Turkey gained crucial victories. Busenaz Sürmeneli won the gold medal in boxing. Busenaz Çakıroğlu got the silver medal. Furthermore, Yasemin Adar in wrestling, Hatice Kübra İlgün in taekwondo and Merve Çoban got the bronze medal.
Women’s National Team won the gold medal, Ayşegül Pehlivanlar in shooting, Öznur Cüre in archery, Meryem Betül Çavdar in taekwondo won the silver medal, Besra Duman in weightlifting, Kübra Korkut in table tennis, Zeynep Çelik in judo, and Sevilay Öztürk in swimming bronze medal. VakıfBank won the International Volleyball Federation Women’s Club World Championship. Ayşe Begüm Onbaşı won the gold medal at the Aerobic Gymnastics World Championship.
Scientists and healthcare professionals
Özlem Türeci, became a symbol by being a part of the team developing the Covid-19 vaccine this year. Professor Sarah Gilbert has been awarded the RSA Medal for her work on developing the “Oxford vaccine” against Covid-19. In her revelations to Financial Times she underlined how when she had kids, as the cost of was more than her entire income as a postdoctoral scientist, her partner sacrificed “his own career.”
We owe a lot to women, who make up 70% of the doctors and nurses who are on the front lines in the fight against Covid-19.
Filipino journalist Maria Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr Elif Vatanoğlu Lutz became the first woman from Turkey to receive the Gusi Peace Prize, which is known as Asia’s Nobel and given to people who contribute to world peace. Betül Kaçar was awarded for her outstanding contributions to research on the origins of life. Sabancı University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Faculty Member Professor Ayşe Betül Çelik received the Order of Merit from the Italian State for her academic work on empowering women’s participation in the peace process and gender equality. Professor Ayşe Buǧra entered the list of ‘The Most Influential Scientists in the World’. One of the most prestigious awards in the world of science, the Sabri Ülker Science Award, was presented to Associate Professor Elif Nur Fırat Karalar.
The women of the Constituent Assembly that will write the egalitarian constitution in Chile
The Constituent Assembly, which was established in Chile to make a Constitution, will form the first constitution in the world to be written by an equal number of men and women. Women activists played an essential role in this process.
Elisa Lancon, a Mapuche lecturer at the University of Santiago, who was elected president of the Assembly, is leading one of the most important and complex assignments in recent Chilean history. While the constitution-writing process continues, left-wing candidate Gabriel Boric, who won the Chilean Presidential elections, said that his administration will focus on guaranteeing indigenous rights, the rights of women, all sexual orientations to leave the “patriarchal legacy” behind.
The whole world owes its gratitude to the women who resisted and saved the dignity of the 21st century. Thanks to the women who resisted, 2021 has become the “year of women who gave life to civilization”.
I wish a year of equality and solidarity. I embrace you all.