- Thousands march in Istanbul and Diyarbakir, challenging government policies on International Women's Day
- Protesters reject 2025 Year of the Familyinitiative, citing threats to women's autonomy
- Turkey's 2021 exit from Istanbul Convention coincides with 394 femicides reported in 2024
- Feminist Night March faces police barriers as authorities cite public order concerns
- Kurdish leaders declare women's rights central to broader democratic reforms in Turkey
On March 8, 2024, Turkish women flooded streets across major cities, from Istanbul's Kadikoy district to Diyarbakir's urban centers, demanding urgent action against domestic violence. The protests, timed with International Women's Day, highlighted growing frustration with President Erdogan's conservative social policies, including the controversial designation of 2025 as the Year of the Family.Demonstrators carried banners reading Family will not bind us to life,directly challenging government narratives prioritizing traditional gender roles. This mobilization occurred despite heavy police presence, with riot gear and water cannons deployed in anticipation of unrest.
Central to protesters' grievances is Turkey's 2021 withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, a European treaty designed to combat violence against women. Women's rights organizations attribute the subsequent 32% increase in femicides to this policy reversal, with the We Will Stop Femicides Platform documenting 394 gender-motivated killings this year alone. When legal protections disappear, so does women's safety,noted activist Yaz Gulgun, 52, during the Kadikoy rally. The data underscores a disturbing trend – a woman now dies every 18 hours from domestic violence in Turkey.
In Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast, the women's movement intersects with broader political struggles. Diyarbakir's demonstrations featured messages from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, whose declaration that women's liberation precedes Kurdish freedomresonated through the crowds. Former mayor Gultan Kisanak, recently released from prison on terrorism charges, emphasized: No democracy can exist without women's full participation in civic life.This regional dynamic complicates national gender politics, as Kurdish women simultaneously combat ethnic discrimination and patriarchal structures.
Istanbul's Feminist Night March exemplified both resistance and repression. Authorities preemptively closed metro stations and barricaded Istiklal Avenue, the city's iconic shopping corridor, to prevent access to Taksim Square. Beyoglu District Governor's Office justified these measures as necessary to preserve public order,but protesters decried them as unconstitutional suppression of peaceful assembly. Undeterred, thousands gathered under darkness, their chants echoing through side streets while police helicopters circled overhead.
Three critical insights emerge from this year's protests: First, digital mobilization has become crucial under increasing government restrictions, with encrypted apps enabling real-time protest coordination. Second, Turkey's gender equality ranking fell 23 positions in the World Economic Forum's index since 2021, correlating with policy changes. Third, economic analysts estimate domestic violence costs Turkey 2.1% of GDP annually through lost productivity and healthcare expenses – a financial argument gaining traction in policy debates.
The Kurdish women's movement in Diyarbakir offers a regional case study in intersectional activism. By combining gender equality demands with cultural rights advocacy, they've created one of Turkey's most resilient feminist networks. Their success in maintaining protest traditions despite military curfews and political arrests provides a model for other regions. Our struggle isn't just about women – it's about redefining power structures entirely,Kisanak explained during her address.
As night fell on March 8, the contrast between government rhetoric and grassroots reality grew starker. While officials promote family values, women across generations shared stories of workplace harassment, restrictive divorce laws, and inadequate shelter access. The 2025 Family Year initiative now faces mounting criticism, with legal experts warning it might roll back divorce protections. They want us silent at home,stated university student Elif Demir, 21, but we're rewriting the script in the streets.
International observers note Turkey's paradoxical position – a founding member of the Istanbul Convention now leading regional backsliding on women's rights. The Council of Europe's latest report shows Ankara's policy changes have emboldened conservative groups across Eastern Mediterranean nations. Yet the scale of 2024's protests suggests a potent counter-movement, with Turkish women leveraging global feminist networks to amplify their demands. As social media trends tagged #IstanbulConventionRevival surpass 1.2 million posts, the government faces unprecedented pressure to reconcile its international commitments with domestic realities.
The economic dimension of women's rights protests is gaining prominence. A 2024 study by Istanbul Technical University reveals that domestic violence survivors are 43% less likely to maintain stable employment. With female workforce participation stagnating at 34%, economists argue that protecting women isn't just moral – it's economic necessity. Every prevented femicide preserves an average of ₺1.2 million in economic value,states lead researcher Dr. Aylin Önder. This financial perspective is attracting unusual allies, including business leaders petitioning for stronger violence prevention laws.
As police dismantled barricades at dawn on March 9, the protest's legacy continued unfolding. Social media platforms overflowed with images of grandmothers dancing beside Gen Z activists, Kurdish banners alongside LGBTQ+ flags. While immediate policy changes remain uncertain, the 2024 demonstrations marked a strategic evolution – from reactive outrage to coordinated demands linking safety, economic justice, and political representation. For Turkey's women's movement, the path forward appears clear: sustain pressure through legal challenges, international advocacy, and unyielding street presence until systemic reforms materialize.