"They Say..." by Fey Elhade

328. 409. 440. 474. These are the numbers of femicides that have taken place in Turkey over the last four years. Women have been burned, strangled, shot, raped, and killed in the homes they live in, streets they walk, schools they study, and even in hospitals where they go to seek help. Who hurts these women, these innocent girls? It's not only strangers, but also their husbands, boyfriends, and fathers. "Just a woman," they say. "Just one murder," they say. The biggest challenge facing women and girls today in Turkey is the nonchalance of our people and ignorance of our government towards the severe abuse that women go through in our society. 

On paper, women and men are politically and socially equal, polygamy is banned, discrimination based on sex has been prohibited since 1930, but to what extent are these laws adhered to in real life? Abortions are meant to be legal; however, in reality, most hospitals don't even offer the option, forcing women to utilize fatal, self-induced abortion methods. Women can technically participate in politics, but the number of women that are represented in the parliament is only 17.1%. Women have the right to work, and yet, the inclusion of Turkish women in the labor force is only 34% as of 2018, nearly less than half of the EU. 

'Like a girl.' they say, meaning less than. 'Don't wear that!' they say. 'Don't walk alone at night.' 'Why should I listen to a woman, who is she to order me around?' they say. 

Women in Turkey face these types of stereotypical judgements every day. They are seen as second class citizens who are destined to be controlled by men. People normalize the fact that women can be sexually assaulted, discriminated against, and killed. The Turkish media refuses to report on violence against women, forced marriages, and honor killings. Perhaps, to avoid the possible damage to the country's reputation and modern image. 

We live in a place where when a woman is raped on a bus, it's considered to be her fault. If she happens to be wearing a short skirt, 'she must have deserved it,' they say. Where murderers are acquitted due to 'unjust provocation' and 'insufficient proof' and receive 'good behavior discounts' despite all their crimes. We live in a place where the government does not issue a 'restraining order' even when a woman seeks help against her abusive husband. Then, when the woman is killed, 'it was her time,' they say. 

Women are faced with a major dilemma; either they will be themselves and risk their lives, or they will surrender and fulfill what society expects of them. 

Despite the current devalued perception of Women in Turkish society, the value of Turkish Women is significant in its history; Turkey was the first Islamic country to grant women social, legal, and political rights in the early 20th century. So what has changed? How have women lost this perceived power? 

This legacy should be remembered and reclaimed. To bring an end to the leading hypermasculinity that suppresses women's voices, equal opportunities for education should be created for both women and men. In Turkey, 4 out of every 5 illiterate people are women. This is unacceptable. Girls need to be encouraged to attend school and empowered to establish financial independence. 

New foundations and NGOs are needed to raise awareness. Currently, an application called KADES provides emergency services for women who are victims of assault and violence. This application has already intervened in 8000 cases. The 'We Will Stop Femicide' website has also been created to unite and save women's lives. These platforms are baby steps in aiding helpless women in Turkey which should continue to grow. Also, the disparity between the salaries of women and men in the same positions should be addressed. A specific quota of women could be applied to the employers and government bodies so that a higher representation is achieved. 

While crimes against the fairer sex are reduced to mere statistics, women are drowning under a wave of conservatism that dominates their lives. Turkish people at large need to replace their apathy with empathy. Most importantly, the government should strive to ensure the safety of all women by implementing the necessary laws. Only when a woman's word counts as much as a man's in the eyes of the legal authorities, will there ever be justice for women. And only then, will they no longer say, whatever it is they say...