ORANGE THE WORLD
Under the worldwide theme “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence began on November 25th and will continue until December 10th. This United Nations campaign emphasises on the universal nature of violence against women, and appointed November 25th as its day of remembrance. Awareness-raising events were organised. Iconic buildings and landmarks were “oranged” to emphasise on the need for safety and a future free of violence. Here in Maastricht, the Law faculty was ‘oranged’ as well, highlighting the importance of standing with and supporting those who are victims of violence.
TURKEY: PEOPLE DEMAND TO REJOIN THE ISTANBUL CONVENTION
On such grounds, protests took place, demanding to rejoin the Istanbul Convention in Turkey and calling for the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to step down on November 25th. On July 1st, Erdogan withdrew his country from the Istanbul Convention on Violence Against Women by the Council of Europe. Turkey being the first to rectify this landmark agreement signed in the country’s biggest city in 2011, it also became the first one to withdraw from it.
Two main protests took place earlier this year against the withdrawal. First, in March, upon the initial announcements of the withdrawal and second, in July when the decision became official. This protest was thus the third this year regarding this withdrawal. This time, the police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters into the pavement, the start of a gradual push against the crowd until it dispersed nearly an hour later. Erdogan continues insisting that existing laws in Turkey provide enough protection for women. Various women’s rights groups across the country responded by stating that the convention was a guide for important legislation that the government never fully implemented. The Istanbul Convention is an innovative international agreement specifically created to tackle gender-based Human Rights violations.
THE COUNT IS RISING
Turkey is one of the highest-ranking countries in terms of femicide and domestic violence against women. According to UN women data, 38 percent of women in Turkey face violence from a partner in their lifetime 1. However, the government does not provide any official records on femicides. Nevertheless, according to the “We Will Stop Femicide” Platform, at least 353 women have been murdered by men only in 2021. The NGO keeps records of each case and lobbies for killers to be prosecuted on their website in a digital memorial counter for women who died of violence 2. This count is rising every day. Women fear that they will be the next victim whose basic human rights such as life, liberty and personal security are violated.
A report by the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey suggested that violence against women including femicides were high even before Turkey’s withdrawal from the convention. However, Turkish women believe that now even their fundamental rights and protections are under threat 3. Human lives are becoming statistics and nothing is being done in an attempt to bring that number down or to protect women against femicide nor against domestic violence. This is a humanitarian issue that deserves immediate attention.
SOURCES
3KAGIDER (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey) Views and Demands on Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment Report 17.07.2019
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