Tue, 21-Oct-2025

International Women’s Day, Istanbul women disobey a protest ban

International Women's Day
  • Authorities prevented them from reaching Taksim Square.
  • Many people were arrested by police during the march.
  • Over 600 women have been killed by men in Turkey.

Thousands of Turkish women have violated a prohibition on protests on International Women’s Day and assembled in the city of Istanbul for what they called a “feminist night march”.

Authorities prevented them from reaching Taksim Square in the city center, but they were permitted to continue marching for a while before using tear gas to disperse them.

People scuffle with police officers as demonstrators try to march to Taksim Square to mark the International Women's Day in Istanbul, Turkey March 8, 2023

 

Many people were arrested by police during the march.

The major opposition Republican People’s Party honored the occasion by issuing a report claiming that over 600 women have been killed by men in Turkey since 2021 when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withdrew the country from the Istanbul Convention.

The treaty’s goal is to prevent domestic violence.

 

A woman shouts slogans during a rally to mark International Women's Day, in Istanbul, Turkey March 8, 2023

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