Women at risk is at an alarming level in Turkey

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several high-profile murders and rapes of women in Turkey by men, including current or former partners

Rights organizations have repeatedly demanded that Turkish authorities should fully implement the Council of Europe treaty designed to prevent violence and domestic abuse against women (the Istanbul Convention) rather than withdraw from it 

Turkey’s withdrawal from the Convention would have disastrous consequences for millions of women and girls in the country and to organizations providing vital support to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Even the discussion of a possible withdrawal is having a huge adverse impact on the safety of women and girls

Country-wide demonstrations are expected by campaigners calling on the authorities to fully implement the Convention that has been signed by 45 of the Council of Europe Member States and ratified by 34 of them. Turkey was the first country to ratify the treaty 

There is a bitter irony to the fact that the Turkish authorities are considering withdrawing from a Convention bearing the name of its most iconic city 

This discussion is deeply worrying, coming at time when COVID-19 measures, such as lockdown, have led to a spike in reports of violence against women and girls with many women and girls trapped at home with their abusers or unable to easily access safety and support services

The Istanbul Convention is the first European treaty specifically targeting violence against women and domestic violence. It was opened for signature in May 2011 in Istanbul and entered into force in August 2014. No state has ever withdrawn from it

Rather than becoming the first Council of Europe Member State to withdraw from the Convention, Turkey should ensure the treaty is fully implemented and take immediate action to better protect and promote the rights of women and girls