Commanding Moderator
Posts: 4846
(10/3/07 1:25 pm)
Women condemn Turkey constitutionWomen condemn Turkey constitution
By Sarah Rainsford
BBC News, Istanbul
Women in Ankara - 20/7/2007
The Islamic headscarf is worn by 60% of Turkish women
Women's groups in Turkey have condemned a new draft constitution, saying it sets the country back years in terms of gender equality.
A new constitution is being prepared to replace the current one, introduced after the military coup of 1980.
The document describes women as a vulnerable group needing protection.
The proposed constitution has already sparked fierce debate with a clause to allow women to attend university wearing the Islamic headscarf.
Speaking on Tuesday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured critics the new draft constitution will reflect the values and needs of all groups of society.
'Patriarchal society'
More than 80 women's groups have come together to voice strong opposition to the draft constitution, calling it a major step backwards for equal rights.
The current constitution in Turkey obliges the government to ensure equality for all - a clause that women's groups fought hard to include.
The new draft removes that, describing women instead as a vulnerable group in need of special protection.
Women's rights activist Selen Lermioglu calls that worrying proof that Turkey is still a highly patriarchal society.
"If the government accepts this it will show their ideology and mindset about women and men - that women are a group that needs to be protected," she said.
PM Erdogan wants to replace the 1980 constitution
"No we're not, we don't need protection. We need equality and ask for that, not protection.
"If all laws and the whole constitution is prepared with this mindset, it can have a really bad impact," she added.
The group says it has not formed a common position yet on the issue of the Islamic headscarf, worn by more than 60% of Turkish woman but banned in state offices, schools and universities.
The government wants to change the constitution to ensure girls who cover their heads can attend university.
Women's activists, like the wider society here, are divided on that.
So far the new constitution has been drafted behind closed doors: now women's groups are demanding to be consulted.
They want to make this process an opportunity to push for more rights, not fewer, including a clause insisting on a temporary quota for women, to eliminate discrimination in all areas.
They argue that is the only way to lift Turkey from close to the bottom of the list in Europe on gender equality.
It seems, the AKP is not as shrewd as I thought them to be; showing their true colours too pre-maturely. Remember what your beloved Fethulllah Hoca said, my AKPli friends, ''Takiyye, until you have conquered every single secular institution!''
p.s. Jannissary, dikkat ettin mi, Anayasa tartismalari baglaminda, libos/entel cenahtan AKP'ye yonelik en ufak bir elestiri yok!
Actively getting on people's nerves since February 2006
Commanding Moderator
Posts: 4847
(10/3/07 2:17 pm)
Re: Women condemn Turkey constitution
Butun dinciler ve global sermayeci liberaller, yeni anayasanin bir an once gecmesi icin hep beraber nefes tutmus durumda. Benim merak ettigim ise, bu garip ittifakin daha ne kadar surecegi??????
Re: Women condemn Turkey constitution
Global resesyon bagira bagira geliyor ve sicak paranin kacmasi nedeniyle krizden en derin sekilde etkilenecek ülkelerden birisi Türkiye olacak. Ve AKP de hala tin yok. Kendi sonlarini hazirlarken, Türk ekonomisini de mahvedecekler, benim derdim o!
Quote:Benim merak ettigim ise, bu garip ittifakin daha ne kadar surecegi??????
Belli ki, Iran'da Tudeh yandaslarinin basina gelenler bu satilmislara hic ders olmamis!
Actively getting on people's nerves since February 2006
Cainii latra, caravana trece...
Cainii latra, URSUL trece...
RuseBG Senior Moderator
Posts: 9749
(10/3/07 3:36 pm)
Re: Women condemn Turkey constitution
I see Desire moving back to England for good.
Re: Women condemn Turkey constitution
It has been amended 64 times and can be considered a democratic constitution after the amendments. The new Constitution proposed by AKP doesn't bring any substantial changes, except that, it will allow the legislative to control the judiciary, along with articles contrary to equality of the genders.
Actively getting on people's nerves since February 2006
Re: Women condemn Turkey constitution
No I dont, my arms are toned well enough
I don't NEED it but I do enjoy though to have a nice strong boyfriend with big arms n such. Actually not just arms, shoulders back and legs too have to be built, dont like skinny weak guys.
RuseBG Senior Moderator
Posts: 9770
(10/3/07 10:44 pm)
Re: Women condemn Turkey constitution
Just make sure it is not a very big bomb with a very short wick...
is the hell out very strong in confusing us all 
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