Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu announced a plan today (November 25) to combat violence against women, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Demonstrations by women’s groups and protestors have been met with police barricades and major restrictions on public transportation in Istanbul.
In his remarks at a venue in Istanbul’s Harbiye district, İmamoğlu promised a return to the İstanbul Convention, a treaty focusing on violence against women that Turkey pulled out of in 2021. The mayor’s plan to combat violence against women consists of pillars including: making sure streets and public transport are safe for women, supporting hiring of women in the workforce, and making structural reforms with consultation from experts that İmamoğlu billed as a ‘360 degree change’.
İmamoğlu also announced that the municipality plans to expand its existing network of ‘Children’s Activity Centers’ and free public transportation for mothers in the city in order to support their participation in the workforce.
“We have worked tirelessly to stand by women and children in this city, and we will continue to do so. Women and children will always be our priority. We will stand with you. You will never walk alone.”
Municipality’s Action Plan
İmamoğlu presented what he called the “360-degree action plan” focusing on tackling root causes of violence, improving public safety, supporting victims, and fostering women’s economic participation. The plan includes collaborations with experts and stakeholders to implement structural reforms and enhance municipal services. “We will continue to advocate for women’s rights and create a safer, more inclusive Istanbul,” İmamoğlu said.
İmamoğlu also announced plans to launch the “Purple Guide” initiative, aiming to provide legal guidance to 100,000 women annually. Additional projects include self-defense workshops, expanded neighborhood support centers, and educational campaigns addressing issues like digital harassment and respect for women’s boundaries in male student dormitories.
Erdoğan doubles down on his order to withdraw from Istanbul convention
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, also spoke on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, emphasizing that violence against women is a crime against humanity. He praised institutions and organizations working to eliminate this issue and highlighted government efforts to strengthen women’s rights. Erdoğan pointed out that the 2012 law on family protection and the prevention of violence against women is one of the most significant legal reforms in this area.
Medyascope'u destekle. Medyascope'a abone ol.
Medyascope’u senin desteğin ayakta tutuyor. Hiçbir patronun, siyasi çıkarın güdümünde değiliz; hangi haberi yapacağımıza biz karar veriyoruz. Tıklanma uğruna değil, kamu yararına çalışıyoruz. Bağımsız gazeteciliğin sürmesi, sitenin açık kalması ve herkesin doğru bilgiye erişebilmesi senin desteğinle mümkün.
Defending Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, Erdoğan criticized those advocating for its reinstatement, arguing that their insistence lacks merit. He dismissed the slogan “The Istanbul Convention Saves Lives,” asserting that laws, not conventions, ensure protection. He accused critics of ignoring severe issues in Western countries, noting that even the European Parliament only recently adopted a directive to combat domestic violence.
Erdoğan claimed Turkey has implemented necessary reforms before 2011 and after leaving the convention in 2020. He highlighted legislative advancements, such as recognizing violence against women as a crime in 2015, categorizing it as a serious offense, equalizing penalties for violence against spouses regardless of marital status, and removing good behavior sentence reductions. These measures, he argued, were implemented after 2020, countering accusations of inaction.
