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Has misogyny become official state policy in Turkey?

With Turkish police canceling the International Women's Day march in Taksim at the last minute and the president using the drama as an electoral distraction, it's time to ask if misogyny has become an official state policy in Turkey.
Police try to disperse a march marking International Women's Day in Istanbul, Turkey, March 8, 2019. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1663BEFF40

The first feminist night march in Turkey was held on International Women’s Day 2003 in Taksim. Irem Afsin, a journalist and civil rights activist, has attended all 17 of the annual marches. She told Al-Monitor, “Initially we were a small group. But over the years our numbers grew.”

Hatice, another activist and a banker, told Al-Monitor, “We like to claim the streets at night when the 'good women' are expected to stay at home. That's why we march after sunset.”

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