Everyone Needs a Womens Viewpoint

A total of 40 local reporters, most of whom were women, found the opportunity to share their experiences, evaluate reporting methods and get information on the Civil Code, Penal Code and the international Conventions in terms of women's rights and crimes against women.

Radio, television and newspaper reporters from Ordu, Artvin, Corum, Giresun, Bulancak, Sebinkarahisar, Kastamonu, Karadeniz Eregli, Unye, Samsun, Zonguldak, Trabzon and Kars attended the seminar. All local reporters agreed that such gatherings should be organized more frequently and that steps should be taken to ensure that laws are effectively implemented.

Gulbahar: Media should investigate women's rights violations

The seminar began with a speech by BIA² Deputy Coordinator Fugen Ugur, who described the project. Lawyer Hulya Gulbahar, one of the founders of the Women's Platform on the Civil Code and the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), made a presentation on "National and International Regulations on Women's Rights."

"Although there are working women in Turkey, only men own properties," said Gulbahar. "When we look at the numbers, we see that only one eighth of the real estate property belonging to the family is registered under the woman's name. 93.5 percent of women in Eastern Anatolia do not have an income. In the Aegena region, 76.6 percent of women do not have social security or incomes."

Gulbahar also argued that working women in Turkey are underpaid.

She said if one thirds of the news covering human rights is not about women, it means reporters are missing something.

Gulbahar talked about violence against women, and said honor crimes are caused mainly by economic problems.

Lawyer Gulbahar said that according to the Civil Code, everyone should contribute to family life. "Through a last minute change, the property sharing regime is only effective for property acquired after January 1, 2002," criticized Gulbahar. "The Civil Code will benefit young women and their daughters. "There is nothing to be done for us and women older than us."

Gulbahar said that a lot of responsibility falls on the local media. Reporters "should investigate the real reason behind honor murders like lawyers or prosecutors."

Tanriover: Media imposes a sexual or traditional role upon women

After local reporters spoke of their observations about women's situation in their region, Associate Professor Doctor Hulya Tufan Tanriover from the Communications Department of Galatasaray University, commented on the news reports in national media about women and problems of women. She said the language used by the media is very important.

Associate Professor Dr. Tanriover compiled her presentation on "Media and Women," under two main topics: "Media and Women's Representation in the Media," and "Women's Rights Violations in the Media." "The media is representing women in certain forms or shapes," said Tanriover. "The form of representation reflects the women's role in our life. In our society, women is a good housewife and a good mother."

Tanriover argued that women are presented as victims when raped, and a sexual object at other times. "The Turkish media has introduced the 'Back Page Beauty' to the world media literature," said Tanriover.

"The media, by ignoring and not covering women's problems, is symbolically destroying women," she added. "There are economic, cultural and social reasons behind this approach."

"Language is very important"

Tanriover underlined that the media has two separate approaches toward women, one being open and the other being covert.

"We don't openly say, 'Women, what are you doing in politics? Go sit at home.' But we try to imply this. We don't tend to understand this covert attitude unless we spend a special effort. We are faced with this attitude when watching our favorite soap opera or the main news program. The open attitude is less detrimental."

Tanriover said that women's representation in the media is limited to traditional roles. "The use of language, subject or choice of photographs is very important," said Tanriover. "The language we use, some words, are very important and constitute the covert attitude."

Women/Madame argument

Tanriover continued her speech, using the word "madame" because it is a good example of the language used and the covert attitude.

"We are making a mistake when we say, 'I am walking with a madame friend.' This is a violation of women's rights. Madame does not mean woman. It is a wrong word. The opposite of man is not madame, it's woman. Madame is the opposite of sir and it's a way of addressing people."

"You can't say 'teaching suits madames.' It's wrong in terms of the Turkish language. So why is it said? Because it is regarded shameful to say 'woman.' It's the covert attitude. It's the mentality. Why would it be shameful to say 'woman?' Why isn't it shameful to say 'man?' If it's okay for us to say 'man,' it should be okay to say 'woman' too."

On Sunday, Selen Dogan, the General Coordinator of Ucan Supurge (Flying Broom) women's organization and Beyhan Demir, the General Manager of the Pazartesi (Monday) Magazine, who work in the field of women's rights and problems, shared their experiences with the participants.

Dogan : We have reached 473 women's organizations in the last year

Selen Dogan, the general coordinator of Ucan Supurge, spoke about the organization's goals and achievements. She said they had gone to 64 provinces as part of their latest project "We are Building Bridges."

"In all the provinces we have been to up to today, not a single woman said she wants something for herself," said Dogan. "We have reached 473 women's organizations in the last year. The number of women's organizations in Turkey has increased. There has been a 50 percent increase in Ankara. In the provinces we have been to, we saw that the governors and mayors are not aware of the laws."

Dogan said there is lack of communication between women's organizations and added this lack of communication leads to a waste of time.

Demir: "Pazartesi" magazine is subjective

Beyhan Demir from the Pazartesi magazine said as a "Feminist" magazine, they have been publishing news about women from the women's point of view and with a staff that's entirely made up of women since 1995.

"We are publishing subjective news," said Demir. "We are on the side of women. We are on the side of those who are oppressed and discriminated against. Pazartesi magazine has an ideology. We publish information and comments and try to direct women in the right way.".

Demir said honor is being used as justification for violence against women.

"Honor is just an excuse. The men's biggest excuse is honor. As women get stronger, they are faced with violence."

Eyuboglu talked about Press Law and TCK

Lawyer Meric Eyuboglu from the Istanbul Bar Association talked about BIA² Legal Support Desk. He argued that children and other groups are being harmed through publications despite laws. Eyuboglu said attention has to be paid to the regulations in the Press Law and the new Turkish Penal Code concerning those younger than 18.

Lawyer Eyuboglu explained article 19 of the Press Law titled, "Affecting justice," article 20 titled, "Encouraging sexual attacks, murder and suicide," and article 21 which envisages not revealing the identity of the offender or the victim, if he/she is under 18. He spoke about parallel regulations in the TCK and other articles that may be used to limit the freedom of communication or expression.

Mater spoke about Bianet and women journalists in the world

BIA² Project Advisor Nadire Mater explained the bianet Web site to the seminar participants and spoke about the situation of women journalists in Turkey and in the world.

Journalist Mater said that seminars on "Reporting on Rights" were held in six provinces last year. She said the seminar on "Women's Rights and Reporting on Women's Rights" will also be held in Eskisehir, Canakkale, Izmir and Antalya.

Mater added that seminars on Reporting on Children's Rights for the local reporters will begin in November and will also be held in six provinces.

Notions such as "women's rights" or "children's rights" are new to journalism both in Turkey and in the world, argued Mater. She said unless reporting covers these issues it becomes the subject of violation.

"For that reason, there is a clear need to especially highlight women's and children's issues," expressed Mater. "In the last two years, we have realized that local newspapers in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia have begun to focus quite a lot on women's issues. Here, we have had the chance to review more newspapers. Compared with the national media, we are indeed faced with an exciting example. And we know it will get better."

"Women are not in media management positions, are underpaid and sexually harassed"

Mater, who made a presentation on "Reporting With a Focus on Women," said it is believed that only 30 percent of reporters in Turkey are women. She added that the number of those possessing a yellow press card in 2005 fell from 20.5 percent to 15.9 percent.

Mater drew attention to the fewness of women in media management positions. "There are no women in management positions in national media," said Mater. "There are no women in RTUK Higher Board. How many women journalists do you recall in news programs on the television?"

Mater highlighted that the situation is not that different in the rest of the world. She said although their level of education is higher, only 30-35 percent of reporters are women and that they earn much less than men.

Mater complained that women are not included in decision-making mechanisms and are employed with no security. She added that women in management positions usually work in the areas of show biz, culture, life, family, women and children. "Women reporters are faced with sexual harassment at work. A research has revealed that 46 percent of women journalists in Greece are sexually harassed," she said.

Mater argued that reporting on women is not limited to reporting on issues that concern women. She said women should be consulted when reporting on any issue.

"We should ask women for their opinions," said Mater. "We should remember that women exist in politics, business and life. We should strive that at least two of the five people we speak to for our story are women. We should follow women's organizations and platforms. We should cover their activities."

The two-day meeting ended with local reporters commenting on the seminar and making proposals to improve it. (EO/EA/YE)