CHP launches campaign to inform the public about İstanbul Convention

Photos: CHP

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The main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) İstanbul Provincial Organization has started a campaign to inform the public about the İstanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

The party members gathered on Şişhane Square in İstanbul's Beyoğlu district, where CHP İstanbul Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu read out a statement for the press.

Noting that seven women lost their lives in feminicides over the past week, Kaftancıoğlu said that "We will tell the İstanbul Convention to all of our citizens on the street."

Over the past month, there has been a debate in pro-government circles as to whether Turkey should withdraw from the convention. While some advocate Turkey's withdrawal because the convention "harms the family" and "legitimizes LGBTI+s," others support it against male violence.

However, the debate has recently wound down after senior figures from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and conservative women's groups announced support for the convention.

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Mentioning the arguments of those who are against the convention, Kaftancıoğlu said, "They say the convention desexualizes the society. No, the convention aims to solve problems that arise from gender inequalities. It foresees not desexualization but a society where no one is subjected to violence because of their gender."

"They say most of the people are disturbed by the convention and want it to be canceled. The reality is that, according to studies over the past month, 63 percent of the people support the convention," she added. "When we tell the 16 million İstanbulites what the İstanbul Convention is and what it is not, we know that 100 percent of [the people] will support the convention."

As part of the campaign titled, "İstanbul Convention should be implemented, women should live," the CHP's provincial organization has opened stands in various parts of the city, including squares and public transport centers, and dispatched a 250-member team to inform the public about the convention. Consisting of the CHP youth members, the team members wear t-shirts that read, "What is the İstanbul Convention? Ask me."

Also, members of the CHP women's organization opened stands near local markets and distribute leaflets containing information about the convention and figures regarding male violence in the country. (EMK/VK)