Discrimination Against Woman for Wearing Shorts at Library

Women showing placards saying, "Don't mess with my shorts or headscarf" during a protest. (Photo: Pinterest/File)

Click to read the article in Turkish

A 20-year-old woman has said she was warned because of wearing shorts at a library affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports' library in Gebze, Kocaeli.

M.U. said she was told by a security guard "not to come like that again," daily Sözcü reported.

"I had been wearing shorts for three or four days. I began to realize that look changed. Yesterday, a security guard came to me. She said he came upon an order by the director. She said, 'Don't get me wrong, but it's not good that you dress like this.' He said my body lines, my legs were too noticeable.

"I said I would continue to wear shorts. I told them I don't think like them. They said, 'Wear it elsewhere. Not in here, don't wear it here.' I said 'Okay' and ended the discussion. I didn't go to the library today. I'll go again tomorrow. And again, I'll wear shorts."

Kocaeli Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Muzaffer Cintimar later confirmed the incident and said an inquiry was started.

He said she wasn't removed from the library but was warned by a security guard while smoking in front of the building. (EMK/VK)