Feminism Perversity, Flirt Prostitution

Turkey's new Justice Minister Cemil Cicek had supported these activities.

Cicek had also written the forewords to a number of books, published by the Family Research Institution. These books openly proclaimed women as second-class, and called on the readers to "look into the past as a guide."

Cicek also headed the Family Council meeting session, attended by a large number of Islamic religious leaders in December 1990.

Women protested by getting divorces

The Family Research Institution faced a lot of criticism at the time, and women reacted to its policies by starting a protest of getting divorces. The State Ministry Responsible of Family Matters, on the other hand, cooperated with this institution.

Besides his close ties with this institution, Cicek's words on November 1990, had significant importance for women.

Cicek defines flirting and feminism

Cemil Cicek, state minister responsible for family matters, said, "flirting is prostitution," and "feminism is perversity."

These words were not due to carelessness, or a slip of the tongue. These words were part of the answers he gave to questions about the youth, family, and women.

Blowing whistles in Galatasaray

Women protested Cicek's words by blowing whistles in the Galatasaray district of Istanbul. Police broke up the "whistle protest;" five women were beaten up, 11 women were detained.

The controversial state minister of those years has now become Turkey's justice minister. He will be heading a ministry that closely concerns women. Will he work towards "protecting and strengthening the Turkish-Muslim family structure," or will he support women? (FK/NM/EA/NM)