Have you seen our sister blog in Ankara?

Did you hear the news?

The Equal Opportunities Commission of the Turkish Assembly (Meclis Kadın Erkek Fırsat Eşitliği Komisyonu) presented a report which evaluates the new constitutional law regarding gender mainstreaming. For the details of the report, check this link.

August 1st is a big Day!

Two due dates coming up! Apply to be our Co-Director (find requirements and contact information here) and Submit 3-5 images about harassment for our Art Exhibit. Click here to learn more about our Call for Artists. Whether supporting our work against harassment and discrimination of all types through being a leader in our movement or submitting your creative works for our events, we are creating a community of change.

State of the World’s Mothers 2012

A new report, The State of the World’s Mothers 2012, ranks Turkey as 49 in the world on how the country treats its mothers. Looking at the stats: 46% of Turkish women use modern contraception. Women have a life expectancy of 77 years. As for earned income, the estimated ratio of Turkish women earned income to Turkish men is .26 TRY to 1 TRY. Looking at politics, 14% of political seats are held by women in Turkey. Compare Turkey with other countries here: http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B9def2ebe-10ae-432c-9bd0-df91d2eba74a%7D/STATEOFTHEWORLDSMOTHERSREPORT2012.PDF

The Abortion Debate: Why This Relates to Street Harassment

By the Canimiz Sokakta: Hollaback Istanbul team- 

Prime Miniser Erdogan’s recent condemnation of abortion and caesarian births last week have sparked debate in Turkey—as theses words should. In Turkey, abortion is legal during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy; yet Erdogan calls this act ‘murder’.

Now why would a movement against street harassment in Turkey be writing something about abortion?

It’s simple. We are a community of individuals that stand for the freedom of everyone to be able to define themselves, to be supported, and to have the individual rights to be safe, respected, and comfortable. In our line of work, we know that street harassment is in the same family as assault, domestic violence, and rape. We absolutely view the government’s intrusion on women’s Right To Choice as just another step toward patriarchy and inequality. The real issue here is not the termination of a fetus, but the lack of power women continually have in politics, economics, social issues, and even with their lives and bodies. Why is the conversation not about expanding sexual education, increasing the punishment for rape and incest, and other issues that factor in a woman’s decision to abort a pregnancy?

In the business of preventing street harassment, we come across a number of women seeking help after being raped. What are the police doing? What about the government? Rather than expanding the resources which would minimize the need for abortion, they are calling rape victims who get an abortion murderers.

Whether or not you would get an abortion, please support the right for other women to make that choice for themselves. Let’s empower individuals to make healthy, ethical, and smart choices, not limit their ability and humanity.

Sign this petition to show your support!