Women Ask for Shelters

The Metropolitan Municipality responded to shelter demands by saying it will support a womens shelter opened by the Human Resources Development Foundation. That is not our demand, said the women, and added they were expecting a clear explanation.

Burçin Belge

Women from the "Istanbul Platform Against Violence Directed to Women," gave a petition to the Sisli Municipality, asking for the prevention of violence against women, and the establishment of women's shelters and consultation centers.

The women said there were only nine women's shelters in Turkey, although according to international standards, there should be over 9,000. They added that one in every four women in Turkey faced violence and many were killed in the name of "honor."

The women said the state and local administrations were responsible for ensuring women's security. They demanded, "The state takes the necessary measures to prevent violence against women, that women's shelters and consultation centers are opened at once, and that women are allowed to take control."

The women said that they received a response for the petition they gave to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on July 5, asking for the opening of women's shelters. They said the response was not explanatory and did not meet their demands.

"The municipality says that the Human Resources Development Foundation will open a women's shelter and meet the needs," explained the women.

"But from what we have read in the media, this will be a shelter with special features. The municipality's response is not clear and does not meet our demands." (BB/EA/YE)

Burçin Belge