Breaking the Cycle: Gender-Based Violence, Femicide, State Oppression Against Women in Turkey

Breaking the Cycle: Gender-Based Violence, Femicide, State Oppression Against Women in Turkey

On the Occasion of the Commission on the Status of Women 69th Session       

17 March 2025 | 12:30 PM | YouTube

On the occasion of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, this event was a comprehensive and urgent discussion addressing the erosion of women’s rights and gender-based violence in Turkey, against the backdrop of recent political developments and systemic repression. The session brought together experts, activists, and international observers to analyze the current situation, reflect on the impact of government policies, and explore avenues for advocacy and solidarity.

The moderator began by providing an overview of the political and social context in Turkey, emphasizing that gender issues are deeply intertwined with broader issues of state control, patriarchal policies, and authoritarian practices. Hafza Girdap explained that while claims of reforms and alignment with international standards, such as amendments to the penal code and ratification of the Istanbul Convention, have been made since 2002, the reality on the ground has been far more complex and troubling. Since 2002, especially after Turkey’s EU accession process, there were some efforts to introduce gender-sensitive policies; however, recent developments, including the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention in 2021, have marked a significant regression in women’s protections. 

She highlighted that the lifting of the headscarf ban, initially celebrated as a religious freedom victory, did not translate into broader gender equality. Instead, it often served to consolidate conservative political power and reinforce traditional gender roles—viewing women primarily as mothers, homemakers, and caregivers—thus entrenching patriarchal norms. The moderator pointed out that the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, which explicitly condemns all forms of violence against women and children, has led to a sharp rise in femicide and domestic violence cases, further exacerbated by the government’s retreat from international commitments.

The discussion underscored that current government policies are not expanding women’s freedoms but instead reinforcing deeply ingrained patriarchal structures and conservative ideals. These policies have marginalized women, restricted their autonomy, and limited their ability to fully participate in social, political, and economic life. The destruction of spaces for women’s expression and the increase in violence against women are alarming signs of regression, with recent statistics placing Turkey further down the Global Gender Gap Index (ranking 129th).

The first speaker, Lale Demirkazan from Turkey, a lawyer, former judge, and human rights advocate, shared her insights on the legal landscape. She detailed her professional journey, including her resignation from her judicial position and her active involvement in legal advocacy. Lale discussed the implications of Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, emphasizing that it has severely impacted the protection of women and children, and has coincided with a dramatic increase in violence and impunity. She highlighted the ongoing trials of women and girls accused of being part of the Hizmet movement, which the government labels as terrorists, noting how the judicial process often lacks transparency and due process. 

Lale described her observations as an international observer during the December 2024 trials, where young women and high school girls faced baseless accusations. She recounted how the judges focused solely on trivial matters like studying science and religion, rather than any actual support for terrorism or violence. She witnessed young girls under 18 being coerced into becoming informants, forced to testify against their friends with promises of reduced sentences, illustrating the fabricated nature of these charges.

She shared poignant stories of women and mothers imprisoned unfairly—such as a woman with a liver transplant and Parkinson’s disease, detained for nine months without trial; and another woman with serious health issues who was released but not acquitted. Despite their suffering, these women’s resilience shone through, as their daughters and families expressed pride in their strength. Many women faced strip searches, sexual harassment, and physical violence during detention, with some describing their experiences as violating and traumatic—yet they continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience.

The narrative emphasized that these cases are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of systematic repression, where laws are weaponized to criminalize innocent women, students, and dissidents merely for studying, practicing religion, or expressing their opinions. The stories of women and girls who have survived torture, sexual violence, and political persecution serve as stark evidence of the regime’s brutality.

The discussion also touched on the importance of storytelling and international advocacy. Andrea Barron, a program manager at the Torture, Violence, and Survivors Support Coalition in Washington, DC, shared her experience of working with torture survivors from Africa and her observation trips to Turkey. She highlighted the importance of bearing witness by sharing the stories of victims of sexual violence and political repression, which humanizes abstract statistics and fosters global awareness. Andrea emphasized that the legal and statistical data are crucial, but personal stories make the issue tangible and human.

The ongoing trials of women, including university students and their mothers, exemplify the regime’s use of fabricated charges to target innocent civilians in Turkey. Witnessing these trials firsthand, Andrea described how the judges focus on trivial details, like studying science or religion, rather than any evidence of terrorism, revealing the political nature of these prosecutions. She recounted her observations of young girls under 18 being pressured to testify against their own families, and women suffering sexual violence during detention, including strip searches and harassment. She underscored that the regime’s use of laws as tools of repression—weaponized to criminalize women, students, and dissidents—has created an environment of fear and silence. Despite the repression, many women and girls display extraordinary courage and resilience, refusing to be silenced, and continuing to speak out against injustice.

The event concluded with reflections on the importance of international solidarity and advocacy. The speakers urged the global community to raise awareness, support victims, and push for justice. They emphasized that storytelling—sharing personal experiences of torture, sexual violence, and political repression—is vital for maintaining pressure on oppressive regimes and fostering change. They called for continued efforts to support democracy, rule of law, and human rights in Turkey and beyond.

In closing, the panelists expressed hope that increased awareness, international pressure, and collective action can help protect women’s rights, restore justice, and uphold human dignity. They reaffirmed that standing in solidarity with victims and amplifying their voices is essential for challenging systemic repression and fostering a future where gender-based violence and political persecution are history.

PANELISTS:

Hafza Girdap, Spokesperson, AST – Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies, Stony Brook University

Andrea Barron, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition 

Lale Demirkazan, Lawyer 

Aslihan Kas, Program Director, AST