Turkish Authorities Crack Down on Women's Marches Against Violence on International Day of Solidarity

Strategic Insights -

The International Day of Solidarity and Elimination of Violence against Women, marked on November 25, saw women in Turkey gather across various provinces to protest against violence, only to be met with police detainments and blocked marches. In total, 25 women were detained in eastern provinces, including leaders from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and elderly members of the Saturday Mothers, a group advocating for the whereabouts of loved ones who disappeared while in police custody in the 1990s. The women's marches were blocked in several cities, including Mardin, where police prohibited them from proceeding.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 25 women were detained in Turkey's eastern provinces of Östan, Ayyr, and Van, including HDP provincial and district presidents and elderly members of the Saturday Mothers.
  • The governor's office of Istanbul's Beyoğlu district announced that no activities or events would be allowed on November 25, citing social media calls to action.
  • Women who wanted to march in Mardin on November 25 were blocked by police and prohibited from proceeding.
  • Members of the Istanbul-based 25 November Women's Platform stated that they do not recognize the ban on their march and instead invited other women's rights groups and individuals to join them in Taksim Square.
  • Femicides and violence against women are significant problems in Turkey, with many attributing the situation to the government's policies, which critics argue protect violent and abusive men.
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree in March 2021 that withdrew Turkey from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

Statistics:

  • 25 women were detained in Turkey's eastern provinces on November 25.
  • Women in Turkey face significant issues with femicides and violence, with unchecked domestic violence being a main concern.
  • The international treaty Istanbul Convention withdrew from by Turkey requires governments to adopt legislation prosecuting perpetrators of domestic violence, marital rape, and female genital mutilation.
  • The 16 days of activism led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women have been an ongoing initiative since 2008.

Sources:

  • Stockholm Center for Freedom, citing local media
  • The United Nations (statement)
  • Turkish Minute
  • Yerepouni Daily News