Protests in Turkey over Women’s Murders
Recently, hundreds of women in Turkish cities protested against the ongoing murders of women, sparked by a double slaying in Istanbul. Chanting slogans denouncing President Erdogan and his AKP party, protesters demanded justice for the victims.
Rally organiser Gunes Fadime Aksahin criticized the government for failing to protect young girls, while Gulizar Sezer, a grieving mother, called for an end to the senseless killings. The protests spread to Ankara and Izmir, with daily demonstrations across the country, including on university campuses.
The outrage was triggered by the murders of two young women, Aysenur Halil and Ikbal Uzuner, and the subsequent suicide of the suspect. Turkey has been struggling with a rising number of women killed, with 299 murders reported this year.
In response to the public outcry, Erdogan pledged to tighten the justice system. However, his administration’s withdrawal from the Istanbul convention, which aims to combat violence against women, has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting women’s rights.