Being a Women in the World of Violence

Human Rights Association (IHD) deputy head lawyer Eren Keskin and journalist-writer Mukaddes Celik spoke at the "Being a Women in the World of Violence" panel organized by the Izmir Women's Platform.

"We should handle violence against women in connection with the system," said Keskin.

Keskin said that in the Turkish legal system, rules that regulate violence against women were under the title, "crimes against morality and family." Keskin said legal amendments were not enough to prevent violence against women.

"In the current Turkish Penal Code, sexual harassment is not regarded as crime. There is no definition of rape. It is very important that there is evidence to prove sexual torture. Psychological reports should also be regarded as evidence as well as physical reports. However, psychological reports are still not regarded as evidence. And there is only one center in Turkey that gives psychological reports."

"We live in a geography where women are beaten up every day for different reasons," said journalist Celik. "The humanity has seen times when women were not oppressed, were not regarded as property and were not violated," she said. "So the women's struggle should see this reality." (BB/EA/YE)