This summer, the life of Jessim Demir, a graphic designer in Turkey, came to an abrupt end on a cliff in the northwestern city of Canakkale.
Her 39th birthday became the end of her life. Sadly, just the day before, she had just accepted a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Nizameddin Gursu.
Many media outlets around the world have reported on the tragedy, lamenting the death of Jessim. However, according to local sources, Yessim's death was not accidental......
The cliff where Yesim fell is 32 meters high, and it looks like a fairyland from afar.
Nizamedin claimed that he proposed to Yesim on this cliff in order to make good memories. The next day, they came back to the place with the intention of reliving the romantic moment. Nizamedin sobbed in an interview and said that at the time, "we had some alcohol. Everything happened at the same time. She lost her balance and fell. ”
Five months later, Yesim's family was filing a criminal case against Nizamedin, claiming that Yessim had sparked an argument over his refusal to propose, leading to the tragedy. The family pointed to key evidence: the alleged engagement ring was in Yesim's pocket, not her hand. This raised suspicions, because if she readily accepted the proposal, the ring should be worn on her hand and not in her pocket. The family said that Yesim had planned to break up, so how could he accept the marriage proposal?
Yessim's family also told the police that she was afraid of heights and would never stand on the edge of a cliff. After a careful investigation, the police found broken glasses and speakers at the scene, as well as some traces of "violent struggle".
Nizamedin has been arrested for "intentional homicide" and is awaiting trial.
Murder of women is a growing problem in Turkey, which has a digital monument, the Monument Counter, which regularly updates data reflecting the number of women victimized. So far this year, there have been 376 homicides against women in Turkey, down from 393 last year. Behind this, there are deeper social problems that require us to think deeply.
Yessim's tragedy reveals a deeper problem in society. Behind this romantic proposal, there are deceptions, quarrels, and eventual tragedy. However, this is not just a story between a couple of lovers, but a microcosm of the general plight faced by women in Turkey.
Yesim's death not only caused pain for his family, but also made us look at the current recognition and protection of women's rights in Turkey. The number of female homicides recorded by Turkey's "monument counters" is still alarming. It's not just the numbers, it's the pain and helplessness of hundreds of families behind it.
Yesim's family has made serious accusations that the cliff proposal gradually turned into murder. Their claims seem to reveal a darker truth, the deprivation of power and dignity that women may face in family relationships. A woman's refusal, or even a rebellion against injustice, can lead to heated arguments and even life-threatening situations.
Jessim's story also highlights the responsibility of the media when reporting on individual cases. The media's portrayal of tragedy often focuses on the parts that resonate emotionally with the audience, but the truth can be obscured. This not only misleads the public about the incident, but also leads to a perception bias about gender-based violence.
As the trial is about to begin, we expect the Turkish judicial system to handle the case fully and impartially. It's not just about a woman's life, it's about a comprehensive understanding of gender equality and the pursuit of social responsibility.
The passing of Jessim makes us ponder: is there a more serious question behind love and romance, and we should work together to create a just and equal society where everyone can live in an environment of respect and safety.
The status of women in Turkey has changed significantly over the past few decades, but there are still many challenges. Despite the country's institutional quest for equality, social attitudes, cultural traditions, and some legal practices still pose a threat to women's rights.
First of all, the number of female homicides recorded by Turkey's "monument counters" is alarming. This reflects serious problems in society, including violence within the family, sloppy legal practice and lagging awareness of gender equality. Although the government has made some progress in advancing women's rights, traditional attitudes remain entrenched at the grassroots level.
Second, Turkish society's expectations of women are often severely limited. This includes restrictions on women's opportunities for advancement in the workplace, as well as skepticism about their participation in political and social decision-making. Although there are quite a few outstanding Turkish women who have achieved success in various fields, overall gender discrimination persists. This is true not only in Turkey, but also in many countries
On the other hand, Turkish women also show a strong sense of initiative and dynamism in society. More and more women are pursuing higher education and participation in the workforce, and there are many advocates for women's rights. They are committed to breaking stereotypes and fighting for more equality.
However, the tragedy of Jessim Demir reminds us once again that women are still vulnerable in their families and relationships. The rejection of a woman or the pursuit of independence can lead to heated arguments and even life-threatening. This situation requires the attention and reflection of the whole society, not only the reform of the government and the legal system.
In the future, the advancement of women in Turkey will require a series of multifaceted efforts. These include reforms in the education system to increase the inclusion of women in the workplace and in all spheres of society, responsible media coverage to avoid misleading gender issues, and a gradual renewal of socio-cultural attitudes to make gender equality more rational.
The death of Jessim Demir brings us not only sadness, but also a deep reflection on the status of women in Turkey. In the midst of challenges, there is also hope for change.