It has often been said that Turkey is the bridge between East and West. Once the land route for trade caravans, it now spans cultural and religious worlds. However, in the matter of the status of women, Turkey remains decidedly Muslim. Turkish women in comparison to their Western counterparts are less educated, lead far more restricted lives, and are more likely to be abused — yet, for the most part, society there turns a blind eye.
Recent studies and media reports all confirm that Turkish women are very likely to endure violence in their lives. According to the United Nations, in Turkey 39% of women report suffering domestic abuse. I witnessed an incident of that once, while living in Turkey. It was disturbing, but more disturbing was the attitude I encountered when trying to get help for the victim: I ran into complacency, and a brick wall of silence.
Witnessing Violence Against a Woman
A few years ago, I taught English as a Second Language at a private children's school in central Turkey. One spring evening, I left my flat on the school grounds to walk to the language school where I taught a class of adults. After passing through the security gate, I crossed the road and encountered a small group of people, who became silent as I went by.
No sooner had I passed the group than I heard a woman scream. I turned to see an angry young man and a frightened woman in the middle of the road — the man with one arm raised above his head, ready to strike the woman, who was cowering. I froze, struggling to make sense of what I was seeing. It seemed as though the young man would momentarily strike the woman, whom he was now circling. The others in the group made no move to stop him. I shouted, “No,” and walked back quickly.
I remembered my cell phone, reached into my purse, and held it aloft like a magical talisman. “Polis,” I said, repeating the Turkish word a few times. “Do not hit her, or I will call the police ... polis." I actually didn’t know how to call the police, but no one else needed to know that
By now the young woman had fled to a parked car where she sat in the driver’s seat, with all the doors locked. I walked over to her, and said a few words trying to reassure her. She seemed stiff with fear. Her one cheek was red, as though she’d already received a blow.
"It’s OK — They’re Married"
I quickly crossed back to the school’s security gate, thinking that the guards there would call the police. As I tried to explain to the uncomprehending guards in a mixture of English and Turkish, a woman from the group approached and said in Turkish, “It's OK. They’re married.” Just then I was relieved to see a young girl student arrive whom I knew spoke English. “She’ll explain things better,” I thought. But I was wrong. She laughed when she described the situation to the guards in Turkish, and then turning to me said, ”But Jen, this is Turkey.”
With a sinking feeling, I left and went back to the group on the street. I hoped that by now the young man had calmed down. I sensed that he was uncertain as to my reaction — it was totally outside of his world view, to have a woman object to his treatment of another woman. I wanted to leave him with the impression that the arrival of the police was imminent. I turned as I left and, waving my cell phone once more, said, “Do not hit her.”
Acceptance of Domestic Violence
I went on to my night class and told the story to the director who sat impassively and made no reply. Later that evening, over a glass of hot, sweet tea, I told a Turkish friend, but he too seemed uncomprehending. The next day, others at the school mentioned it to me, but none of the Turkish staff seemed to understand my outrage.
I’ve often gone over this incident in my mind, trying to make sense of the Turks' complacent attitude. Essentially, what I witnessed was an attempted physical assault in daylight, in the middle of a city street. Yet, because it was apparently a husband about to attack his wife, onlookers, some of whom I surmised to be family, did nothing. Turks to whom I told the story were unresponsive; Westerners were outraged.
What Factors Lead to Domestic Abuse and its Tolerance in Turkey?
Many factors, of course, are implicated in domestic abuse no matter where it occurs. But Turkish society has misogynistic religious/cultural roots — a hard legacy to overcome. Each of the following is intertwined in the phenomenon of woman abuse in modern-day Turkey:
- Gender Discrimination – GlobalPost quotes a United Nations Population Fund official: “In Turkey it’s the patriarchal power relationship. When there is an issue of power in a family or relationship, violence will be in the middle ... If the gender stereotypes continue like this violence against women will always be with us.”
- Literacy Rates – Much lower rates for females as compared to males in Turkey contribute to social isolation and ignorance.
- Marriage Customs – Although decreasing, the practice of forced marriage still persists in Turkey. According to Amnesty International this type of marriage “reinforces women’s unequal status in society, reduces their life choices and leaves them vulnerable to violence.” As well, illegal underage, polygamous,and/or arranged marriages continue.
- The Concept of Honor – Perceived dishonor is the motivation for much physical violence against women in Turkey. Its most extreme expression is the so-called "honor killing."
- Religion – Turkey is over 99% Muslim and in the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an, wife beating is advocated. Well-known Islamic scholar, Jamal Badawi, doesn’t dispute this. Also, a study on domestic violence conducted by Cumhuriyet University, Turkey, states, “Because of the traditional role of woman in Islam, women are more likely become victims of domestic violence and are less likely to complain.”
All of the above factors interlink to ensure that a woman in Turkey is kept in a position of lesser power, more vulnerable to abuse. Although the status of Turkish women is the focus of attention from human rights and women's rights organizations, and legislation has been introduced to protect women, the underlying problems persist.
Deeply Ingrained Discrimination Against Women
The reduction of violence against women in Turkey will be a monumental task as the roots lie deep within the culture. The United Nations Population Fund notes, ”As in many countries, laws protecting women's rights in Turkey have had little impact due to the lack of political will and public inertia.” Increasing contact with the West and Turkey’s efforts to join the EU might in time change this. However, the recent push for the Islamization of Turkey by the ruling AK Party doesn’t bode well for women there.
According to scholar Bernard Lewis in What Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response, the struggle for women’s rights there continues. He warns, “The outcome of that struggle is still far from clear.” An important factor, evident in Turkey, is the near-impunity which abusers have been afforded. Until Turkish society no longer condones this, new laws designed to curb domestic abuse are futile ... and situations such as the one I witnessed will continue.
References:
Lewis, Bernard, What Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response, Oxford University Press, Inc.: New York, 2002.
Amnesty International: Stop Violence Against Women (accessed September 30, 2010).
United Nations Development Programme: The Dynamics of Honor Killings in Turkey (accessed September 30, 2010).
Jen L. Jones - Based in Canada, Jones writes on human rights, history,and the natural world. She focuses also on Turkish and Scottish travel and ...
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