The first feminist night march in Turkey was held on International Women’s Day 2003 in Taksim. Irem Afsin, a journalist and civil rights activist, has attended all 17 of the annual marches. She told Al-Monitor, “Initially we were a small group. But over the years our numbers grew.”
Hatice, another activist and a banker, told Al-Monitor, “We like to claim the streets at night when the 'good women' are expected to stay at home. That's why we march after sunset.”