Labour Women (EKA, Türkiye)
History
The struggle of Labour Women is the product of a long collective accumulation. It has been carried to today through the common labor of women who were tried to be confined to the home but refused these limits and fought for freedom; including young and old, students and workers.
Until 1975, political work continued under the name “Emeğin Birliği (Unity of Labor).” In 1976, with the founding of the Labour Women’s Union Association in Antep, it gained a new organizational form. The association quickly expanded with branches opened in Istanbul (1977) and Tokat (1978). Its base was formed by working-class and laboring women, and it especially rooted itself through work in neighborhoods. A symbolic example of this organizing approach was turning the coal storage of a shanty house in Antep into an association space.
In the same period, there was a general rise in the women’s movement, but political repression was also increasing. In the face of massacres, deaths, and growing poverty, women organized resistance both against living conditions and losses. The “End to the Pain of Our Children” rallies (1976 Ankara, 1977 Istanbul) brought different groups together and showed the need for unity in the women’s movement.
In 1979, with growing repression and martial law, revolutionary activities were banned and the Labour Women’s Union Association was closed. However, the work did not stop; it continued in different forms. Publications were released illegally, and activities were organized through alternative methods. Women continued to take active roles in this period.
In 1980, despite martial law conditions, the decision was made to celebrate March 8th. Because there were no legal possibilities, a march was held in Alibeyköy. It started with a small number of women but grew with new participation and created an important impact.
The women’s congress in 1989 became a turning point where differences between the feminist movement and the socialist women’s movement became clearer. After this process, socialist women discussed building their own organizations, and on November 18, 1990, the Labour Women’s Association was founded.
Despite the pressure created by the September 12 coup, women played leading roles in struggles especially around prisons in the following years. Actions and campaigns of prisoners’ relatives helped revive the social movement. During the Gulf War period, anti-war women’s unity also developed.
With this accumulation, the Labour Women’s Union was re-established in 1992, and organized activities were strengthened. In 1993, a planned congress was blocked, but women continued the struggle and later held the congress.
In 1996, due to increasing state pressure, activities weakened. In the 2000s, because the name “Labour Women’s Association” was used by different political groups, the name “EKA (Labour Women)” was adopted. Since then, work has continued under this name.
Today, Labour Women aim to grow the organized struggle of women with working-class consciousness and to be part of social transformation.
Fundamental Principles
Labour Women struggle on an anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, anti-fascist, and anti-chauvinist basis. It is open to all working, laboring, and young women.
It argues that women’s oppression historically appeared together with private property and that this exploitation can only be ended under socialism. It fights against sexual, national, and class-based oppression faced by women.
It accepts that the women’s question is a social and class question. It stands against all forms of discrimination and woman-hatred created by the male-dominated system. It defends that women’s liberation is only possible through their own independent organization.
It conducts its work independently from bourgeois ideology. Its main power is the organized will of women themselves.
Organization and Working Principles
Organization
Labour Women are organized in the form of committees. Any woman who accepts the principles can form a committee in her own area.
Activities are carried out together with Labour women in neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and all areas of life.
Decision-Making and Executive Mechanisms
The highest decision-making body is the annual Labour Women’s Congress.
Each committee selects a representative on a voluntary basis. Representatives have equal rights and responsibilities.
Representatives of the Labour Women committees are elected once a year, at least three months before the joint Congress. These representatives form the executive structure by selecting provincial representatives. Provincial representatives meet every three months to coordinate executive work.
The Congress is organized by a preparation committee formed by volunteer working women in each province. The theme, exact date, and organization of each Congress are prepared by this committee.
The Congress is open to all working women, and every woman has direct speaking and voting rights. Two spokespersons are elected at the Congress. These spokespersons are members of the executive and are responsible for coordination and reporting of activities.
Education and Publishing Activities
Labour Women see education as an essential part of organization. Trainings can be held face-to-face or online.
The Marxist Women’s Academy is the main education field that supports women’s theoretical and practical development. Its program is decided centrally; local committees may organize additional studies.
The quarterly magazine “We Are Rebelling Against the World” brings together women’s writings and aims to develop a common perspective. The magazine is prepared by a volunteer editorial team, while its distribution is a collective responsibility.
International Work
Labour Women aim to strengthen international women’s solidarity. In this direction, they develop relations with women’s organizations from different countries and try to create common grounds of struggle.
Building the international unity of women is seen as a responsibility of every working woman.
In this context, Labour Women are also part of the World Women’s Conference (WWC) and the World Anti-Imperialist Women’s Platform.