In the wake of a Parliament Investigation Commission Report calling for positive discrimination for women until they are equals with men in society, Erdogan issues landmark circular warning all ministries, local administrations against violence on women

High Criminal Court rejects Prosecution decision not to prosecute author Shafak, Metis Publishing House chief Sokmen and translator Bican for insulting Turkishness in Shafaks new bestseller Father and Bastard, asking for charges to be brought forth.

In solidarity with IHD former branch chair lawyer Keskin, 18 women organizations stage protest against Istanbul Bar Association Womens Commission for targeting her in public advert marking her as target.

Women victims of domestic violence succumb to abuse for three reasons: Patriarchal relations, economic weakness and lack of education. Attorney Dayi: Protecting women from violence is a necessity of being a social state.

Strongly condemned by 20 women organizations in newspapers advertisements, IHD Istanbul branch former chair Keskin holds press conference. Says attack stems from single a source, those organizations acting under Kemalist identity.

Prosecution moves to remove immunity of AKP Konya deputy Halil Urun to prosecute him for violence against wife and deliberate injury. Wife Emine withdraws charges but injury offence regarded as public investigation where compromise deemed impossible.

Minister Cubukcu reveals new Platform to Prevent Violence and says 800,000 Turkish soldiers will receive training to prevent violence against woman, in cooperation with Turkeys Chief of General Staff.

Ankara court acquits 4 women activists charged with insulting State Minister Nimet Cubukcu. Minister drops charges against defendants on day of hearing. Prosecutor says there was no intent, women used their democratic rights.

The 9th Flying Broom International Womens Film Festival is to be held from between May 4-12. A total of 94 films by 75 directors from 25 countries are to be shown during the festival. Iranian female director Tahmineh Milani to be a festival guest.

IHD criticises media exposure after police roundup of 22 women models and singers as violation of rights while lawyer claims operation reflects typical hypocritical male solidarity as they keep secret the names of their alleged male names.

Kizmaz, who wrote: Dear Guldunya, women in this country dont receive letters, won the Calling out to Guldunya letter competition. Your name will not be in the official history Guldunya, wrote Ozbek, who became second.

Handan Caglayan, who has been acquitted, argued that the ban on using a language other than Turkish for political parties not only limits freedom of expression and organization, but limits womens right to participate in the political process.

Guldunya Toren, who has become a symbol of honor killings, was murdered by brothers, following a family decision to kill her. She was raped and as a result, became pregnant outside of marriage. She was under police protection at a hospital when killed.

The Our Cultures are Our Wealth program broadcasted in the Kirmanchi dialect of Kurdish on TRT3 channel, carried reports on the government, economy and culture. There was no mention of the recent developments in the region.

62 percent of Turkish women are faced with domestic violence by their husbands according to a study by Antalya Womens Center for Consultation and Solidarity. The Center has categorized domestic violence under 53 topics, such as rape.

Turkish Penal Code bears its sour fruits as Karaca is sentenced for insulting and belittling the military and Orhan Pamuk faces similar charges. 5 journalists from daily Cumhuriyet are pending trial while Dilipak is still tried before court martial.

The brothers of Güldünya Tören, who was murdered in an honor killing, have been found guilty of premeditated murder and of inciting the crime. One has been sentenced to life imprisonment and the other to a term of 11 years and 8 months.

The mainstream media discriminates against women on a daily basis by producing a discourse that relegates women to a second-rate status and portrays them as dependent on men. It does not show interest in rights violations against women.

US Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes met with womens advocates in Ankara to promote the Bush administrations policy towards women in the Middle East. Many of the feminist activists used the meeting as an opportunity to criticize the war in Iraq.

40 journalists from Ordu, Artvin, Çorum, Giresun, Bulancak, Şebinkarahisar, Kastamonu, Ereğli, Ünye, Samsun, Zonguldak, Trabzon and Kars attended the Womens Rights and Womens Rights-Based Journalism seminar conducted by BİA2 in Ordu this weekend.