Keep Ya Head Up by Sezin Halila

Sexism is defined as prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s sex or gender. It may imply the belief that one sex or gender is intrinsically superior to another. It can affect anyone, but it primarily affects women and girls. Extreme sexism may foster sexual harassment, rape, and other forms of sexual or verbal violence. Unfortunately, in Turkey, sexism against women is a highly effective issue.

The biggest challenge women and girls face in Turkey is harassment. Either verbally or physically. They face domestic violence every single day by their relatives, husbands, fathers, boyfriends, brothers, and other man who walks down the street. These men think women are their property and that they are superior to them. They all are misogynistic. They think clothing is a case of honor and their ‘property' should satisfy their precious pride. Women are just an object and virtue in their life. When these poor women try and leave them, they end up in a very heartbreaking situation. Either they are found dead on the side of the road or in their apartment having committed suicide. Unfortunately, no one can save you even if you are in a place full of people. For example, there was a case where a mother was having a fight with her ex-husband in a crowded café when her ex lost his temper and stabbed her with a knife in front of their poor little daughter. Her last words were “I don’t want to die” while her daughter was crying “Mom, please don’t die.” That woman’s name was Emine Bulut and we shall never forget her. Her ex-husband’s defense was that she insulted him. This is just one sad story of more than 230 women from last year. There are also child victims that are involved in these crimes. Unfortunately, they cannot stand up for themselves considering no one will help them. Women in my country face these challenges every day, they die in front of everyone especially their children and no one helps them. 

Aren’t there solutions to stop these crimes against women, you may ask? There are multiple solutions but no one in charge hears them. One of the most popular solutions is the Istanbul Convention which is a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe to prevent violence against women and domestic violence. It was opened for signature on 11 May 2011, in Istanbul, Turkey. Recently Turkey has withdrawn from the convention and this is a life-threatening decision for our country. An alternative way to call attention was made by a Turkish artist and graphic designer, Vahit Tuna. He chose high-heels as a symbol of feminine power and independence that he wishes all women had. He glued 440 pairs of high-heels on a building to commemorate the women who were killed by their husbands in 2018.  What he did was an eye-catching and interesting way to stand out. Another recent campaign that points out challenges against women is named ‘Women in suits.’ It is a video on YouTube that spreads awareness to encourage women and to say that they are not alone. There are so many other campaigns or projects to help women have a voice but unhappily there has to be a bigger solution to root it out.

Overall, there are voices but no listeners. We should do our best to make those deaf people active listeners. Authorities in the government should pay attention to these voices. Women in Turkey should keep their heads up. They should speak out against all forms of violence till men stop objectifying them. Since we all came from a woman why do we hurt our women? We should praise our women. Focusing on protecting women and girls is not the only way, we should start educating men better. Tupac says in one of his songs ‘I know you're fed up ladies, but keep your head up.’