Women to stage countrywide demonstrations on the day AKP discusses İstanbul Convention

"İstanbul Convention saves lives" (File photo)

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Women's organizations will hold demonstrations in various parts of the country on August 4 and 5 under the slogan, "We are not giving up our rights. Implement the İstanbul Convention."

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is expected to announce its decision as to whether Turkey will withdraw from the convention on August 5, following its central executive committee meeting.

According to the reports, withdrawing from the convention and rejecting specific articles of it will be on the table at the AKP's meeting.

Betül Koca, a member of Ankara Women's Platform, told the Mesopotamia Agency that women's right to life will be taken away from them in case Turkey withdraws from the convention.

"For this very reason, we must continue our demonstrations and activities until the İstanbul Convention is effectively implemented," she said. "İstanbul Convention means shelters, hotlines for violence. Saying 'Stop' to harassment, rape, violence, feminicides. Suspending this convention would be legitimizing violence."

Women will gather in 11 cities on August 4-5: Muğla (Bodrum, Datça), İstanbul, İzmir, Samsun, Hatay, Aydın (Didim), Antalya, Adana, Kocaeli, Ankara, Balıkesir (Ayvalık). (EMK/VK)