Turkey - Oppression & Resistance

In Turkey, thanks to the Istanbul Convention that has been in place since 2011, girls and women have known more safety than ever before. The Istanbul Convention protects women from violence and offers support to those at risk. Additionally, it prosecutes those who would commit crimes against these women (“Turkey: Women across the World Demand Reversal of Decision to Quit Gender-Based Violence Treaty.”).

However, after a 10 year membership Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, decided to leave the treaty which offered women these protections. There is now fear that women in Turkey will have many rights taken away and will be in significantly more danger. Turkey will officially be withdrawing on July 1, 2021 and people are standing in solidarity and begin the Turkish government to reconsider.

This could be an incredible setback for humanitarian rights worldwide as gender equality is such an important goal. This directly relates to our lesson on oppression as the Turkish government is taking away women’s rights and protections and oppressing half of the population. Other governments are pleading with Turkey as well, as this is a setback not just for Turkey but for humankind. If the state is not successful in repealing the president’s ruling and remaining a part of the Istanbul Convention, it will be a giant step back for equality everywhere.

SCC GLST 302 Global Issues Wiki:Turkey - Vanessa Moerschbacher

Works Cited

“Europe: Redouble Efforts to End Violence Against Women.” Human Rights Watch, 11 May 2021, www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/10/europe-redouble-efforts-end-violence-against-women.

FocusM. “Turkey Withdraws from Istanbul Convention Following 'Presidential Decision'.” Focus Malaysia, 1 Apr. 2021, focusmalaysia.my/politics/turkey-withdraws-from-istanbul-convention-following-presidential-decision/.

“Turkey: Women across the World Demand Reversal of Decision to Quit Gender-Based Violence Treaty.” Amnesty International, 10 May 2021, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/05/turkey-women-across-the-world-demand-reversal-of-decision-to-quit-genderbased-violence-treaty/.