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.
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.”
Both Hatice and Irem were at the feminist gathering the evening of March 8. Irem said she brought a whistle from home; Hatice got one from a friend. Whistles are a favorite noisemaker used at the marches.
“Women are being silenced at all places,” explained Hatice. "That's why we make noise; that's why we chant and won’t be quiet. When we are wronged, when we are abused, when we witness harassment, we are expected to be the good wife, mother figure, well-behaved girl. We are here tonight, one night in the year, for ourselves only. That is why our husbands, boyfriends or sons cannot join us. We want to be with other women in solidarity to share our emotions and to misbehave on purpose.”
