Turkey withdrew from the 2011 Istanbul Convention, the first binding treaty withdrew the world‘s first binding treaty to prevent and combat violence against women. The Istanbul Convention, which was first ratified by Turkey, requires governments to adopt legislation that prosecutes domestic violence and abuse, as well as marital rape and female genital mutilation.
But according to conservatives, the Charter damages family unity, encourages divorce and its references to equality were exploited by the LGBT community. Domestic violence and femicide are a serious problem in the country. Last year, 300 women were killed according to the rights group We Will Stop Femicide Platform.
«Bad news: Turkey leaves the Istanbul Convention against violence against women. Every step backwards on the protection of women’s rights is a wound for everyone. And it distances Turkey from the EU », wrote Maria Elena Boschi, president of the deputies of Italia Viva in a tweet.