DİYARBAKIR - Fatma Topal who rejected the violence she was subjected to and started working at the marketplace even though it was considered to be a 'man's thing, is not only selling groceries, but helping the women who are exposed to violence. 

 

In the 21st century where gender equality debates continue, women are still struggling for their identity. The "male-female job" distinction, which emerged at a time when men and women had different social duties, continues to affect today.

 

Fatma Topval is one of the women who encounters the effects of gender roles in working life. She experienced male violence, which she was subjected to in every aspect of her life, sometimes physically by her husband, and sometimes verbally and psychologically in her business. After a while, Topval rejected the violence she experienced, divorced her husband and then started working at the marketplace, which is still considered to be a 'man's job'.

 

A NEW BEGINNING

 

Topval who had to migrate to İzmir due to financial difficulties, was forced into a marriage at a very early age and had 3 children. Divorcing her husband who exposed her to violence, she returned to her hometown. Topval started to work at the marketplace called Jiyan District Bazaar, in Diyarbakır. 

 

Stating that women engaged in bargaining are exposed to the sexist discourse of men who sell vegetables and fruits, Topval said: "They are not used to women working in the region. It's hard to be a woman anyway but it is way more harder in the region."

 

Stating that they have to struggle against the male marketplace workers, Topval said: "There is no such thing that only the men can work at the marketplace. But there was a psychological pressure on me. They were dissing me, making fun of me when I asked questions. One day I went to the fruit and vegetable market and asked how much were the tomatoes. They thought I was a begger and told me, very harshly, to go away. 

 

Stating that they were 50 women when they first started and now there are 150 stands run by women, Topval said with the increasing numbers, the men had to accept the fact that they can work at the marketplace.

 

50 kadınla başladıkları pazarcılıkta kısa sürede 150 tezgâha çıktıklarını kaydeden Topval, erkek pazarcıların bu noktadan sonra artık kendilerini kabullenmek zorunda kaldığını belirtti. 

 

SHE IS NOT JUST A MARKETPLACE WORKER

 

Topval is not only working as a tradeswoman at the marketplace but also helps women with their problems. Stating that she has a bond with her female customers, Topval said: "Marketplace is not just a working place for us. We speak to the women when we see that they are clearly upset, or have bruises and try top learn what's wrong with them. One day a women passed by me trying to hide her face, looking at her feet. I looked carefully at her face and saw that she had a black eye. I remember the violence I was exposed to by my husband. I ran after her and asked her if she's ok. She looked into my eyes and her eyes filled with tears. She said 'No one can help me' and left. But I went after her and learned that she was being subjected to violence by her husband. And she couldn't go back to her family because she got married without their blessing. We found a solution to her problem with the other women at the marketplace. She is fine now. And there are women whom we offered job opportunities. We are not here to earn money alone, this marketplace is a very valueable place for women."

 

Stating that she defines herself as a strong woman, Topval said: "If I hadn't resisted, I would still be living in that violence. Calling on to the women who are being subjected to violence, Topval said: "You have the strength to break down those walls. Women who are being undermined, subjected to economic and psychological violence should raise their voice and fight for their lives. Half of the success is getting up and taking the first step. Women are strong. Just don't be afraid."

 

 

 

MA / Arjin Dilek Öncel-Mehmet Erol