Then came SARS-CoV-2.
The virus that entered our lives in early 2020, causing the disease known as Covid-19. It had claws, gripping onto the world.
It was a consequence of humanity's unhealthy and destructive relationship with nature. The way the pandemic was managed, and the measures imposed by governments were a stark reflection of the relationship between states and their citizens.
Turkey experienced this period with weeks of serial curfews.
A relentless virus struck at the heart of public life, socialisation, and production as we knew it. The opposition, withdrawn from the streets, found its voice on social media.
We continued our work as best we could, with Zoom screens decorated with pyjamas, cats, and ironing boards. But for activists, the pandemic was devastating.
At least we saw the success of the project launched to combat early marriages, as it reached its goal, and we were able to inspire tailors to refuse to sew wedding dresses for child brides.
1 – The pandemic not only doubled women's domestic workload but also fuelled domestic violence. This project, born from our partnership with Mor Salkım, aimed to target the perpetrators' ecosystems. (hbs) 2 – 2020's star. We waited to hear the Covid-19 case numbers, which no one trusted, from him. One of Fahrettin Koca's social media statements after the first case was announced in Turkey. The factual accuracy of these statements is still debated. (X/Fahrettin Koca) 3 – Two German scientists of Turkish descent, whose families emigrated to Germany as workers years ago, were the first to deliver the news the world was waiting for. The Covid-19 vaccine: a beacon of hope for returning to normal life. (Der Spiegel) 4 – Even as the streets emptied and life retreated indoors, the conflict raged on. Mount Cudi was burning fiercely. (Hüseyin Kaçmaz) 5 – First jury meeting for Agora, HBS Istanbul's new fellowship program focused on democracy. Pictured from left to right: Hakan Yücel, Burcu Karakaş, Yıldız Tar, Roj Girasun, Yonca Verdioğlu, Selin Yıldız, Hamit Levent Evci and Yasemin Köker. (hbs)