Erdogan calls violence against women a betrayal of humanity

In his speech marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye‘s commitment to protecting women’s rights. He emphasized that violence against women is unacceptable and that it is laws, not conventions, that will ensure their safety.

Key points of Erdogan’s speech

• President Erdogan reiterated his firm commitment to defending the dignity and rights of women, both in Türkiye and globally. He called violence against women a betrayal of humanity and stressed that it must be eradicated.

• Erdogan criticized the international community’s silence regarding ongoing violence in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have disproportionately affected civilians, especially women and children.
• He expressed Türkiye’s solidarity with Palestinian women, highlighting their strength and resilience, and promised continued support for their cause.

On women’s rights

• Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s efforts to combat domestic violence, pointing to the 2012 law on family protection and the prevention of violence against women as a key achievement. He argued that this law was a significant milestone for Türkiye in its fight against such violence.
• The president rejected calls from the opposition to rejoin the Istanbul Convention, asserting that slogans like “the Convention protects” were used by marginal groups for political purposes and held no real substance.
• Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye has made major legal reforms since 2011, including classifying domestic violence as a crime, removing leniency for offenders, and introducing tougher penalties for crimes committed against women.
• He also noted progress in women’s education, employment, and political representation, despite opposition from groups like the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which Erdogan accused of ignoring the real challenges faced by women in Türkiye.

On entertainment industry

• The president called on the Turkish film and television industry to be more responsible in how they portray violence against women. He pointed out that in pursuit of higher ratings, some media content has normalized such violence.
• Erdogan urged scriptwriters, producers, and the Radio and Television Supreme Council to address this issue and ensure that media portrayals do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Political remarks

• Erdogan also responded to the opposition, accusing the CHP of focusing only on the Istanbul Convention while overlooking the real struggles of women. He criticized their failure to address the concerns of mothers in Diyarbakir, who have been calling for the return of their missing children.
• He reassured that Türkiye would continue to take all necessary steps to protect women’s rights and prevent any future injustices.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is an important occasion for global leaders to reaffirm their commitment to ending gender-based violence. President Erdogan’s speech underscored Türkiye’s efforts to protect women’s rights, while also addressing broader international issues such as the ongoing crisis in Gaza.