Understanding the Alarming Rise in Violence Against Women in Turkey
On a sunny fall day in Istanbul, around 300 young women gathered in the Kadiköy district on the Anatolian banks of the Bosporus to protest against violence against women and girls. Turkey’s Young Feminists Federation had called for the demonstration after a series of brutal murders.
Recent Tragic Events
- October 4: A 19-year-old man stabbed and beheaded two young women in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city with a population of well over 15 million. After committing the second murder at the Theodosian Walls, he killed himself in front of many passers-by.
- Previous incidents: A young policewoman had been killed while on duty, and the case of a missing schoolgirl kept the country in suspense until her lifeless body was found by a river in southeastern Anatolia.
Violence against women has taken on a new dimension
“Violence against women is not new,” said Esin Izel Uysal, a lawyer for We Will Stop Feminicides Platform of Turkey told DW. “But it has taken on a new dimension. The crimes are becoming more brutal, and the victims and perpetrators are getting younger.”
Statistics on Violence Against Women
- In the first nine months of this year, there were 295 murders of women by men and 184 suspicious deaths.
- In 2023, there were 315 murders and 248 suspicious deaths.
- Violence against women is on the rise, with the number of suspicious deaths increasing by 82% between 2017 and 2023.
Rights groups blame patriarchal system
Young feminists blame the patriarchal system for the violence. They accuse the government’s religion-driven conservative family policies of being partly responsible for the escalation of violence.
Turkish Prisons and Legal System
The Turkish government has been criticized for targeting critics since the attempted coup of 2016. Prisons are overcrowded with political prisoners, leading to various changes in law enforcement practices.
Concerns Over Impunity
- Many violent offenders are released before their term is up, contributing to a sense of impunity among criminals.
- Individuals committing violent acts against women often receive lenient sentences and are released early, perpetuating a cycle of violence.
It is essential to address the root causes of violence against women in Turkey and implement effective measures to protect and empower women in society.