Violence against women is rampant in Turkey, and the government has spent years actively trying to downplay its consequences. According to one study, 42% of women ages 15-60 had suffered physical or sexual violence from their partners or husbands. President Erdoğan's response to this horrific statistic? Withdrawing from one of the most important international treaties to prevent violence against women in history.
Sign now to demand that Turkey recommit to protecting women!
President Erdoğan is a known anti-feminist, espousing misogynistic viewpoints that claim gender equality is "against nature" and calling women who work "half persons." It is no surprise, then, that he has withdrawn Turkey from the historic Istanbul Convention, literally named after the city within its own borders, where it was held. In 2020 alone, 300 Turkish women were murdered, the majority by their partners. Another 171 were found dead under "suspicious circumstances." It is more important than ever that Turkey rejoin the Istanbul Convention, which would signal its commitment to gender equality and women's rights.
Luckily, a number of incredible local groups -- including We Will Stop Femicide -- are working to counteract the misogynistic forces at the highest level of government in Turkey and protect Turkish women. We must stand in solidarity with these activists and put pressure on Turkey to rejoin the Istanbul Convention and demonstrate a real and concerted effort to protect the millions of Turkish women who are victimized by countless forms of patriarchal violence.
Sign the petition imploring Turkey to rejoin the Istanbul Convention!
