ISTANBUL, Turkey: In Turkey, hundreds of women gathered in protest in response to a recent double murder in Istanbul, adding to the nationwide outrage over the growing number of femicides. The protests, held in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, reflect increasing frustration with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government and its handling of women’s safety issues. Protesters criticized Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted AKP party for failing to protect women, with rally organizers accusing the government of inaction.
The protests were triggered by the recent killing of two 19-year-old women on the same night in Istanbul. The suspect, who was arrested for the murders, later took his own life, adding to the anger and calls for justice. The rally in Istanbul featured speeches from women’s rights advocates, including the mother of a victim, whose daughter’s body was found thrown into the sea.
Turkey has faced a surge in violence against women, with 299 women murdered this year alone, according to monitoring groups. The country’s 2021 withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at preventing violence against women, has been heavily criticized. Protesters are demanding stronger measures to protect women and tougher legal action against perpetrators.
