A new government roadmap sets the guidelines for the country's struggle against violence targeting women, a disturbing trend that has reportedly left more than 1,100 women dead in the past five years, according to unofficial figures.
Among the measures to prevent further cases of violence is educating the public against violence and making special therapy programs acccessible for children inclined to violent behavior. An action plan by the Family and Social Policies Ministry for the next five years will be implemented in January. It includes therapy and rehabilitation for children who have been the victims or witnesses of violence as well as children prone to violent behavior, to prevent future cases of violence.
Turkey will also improve the regulations previously implemented in compliance with the Istanbul Convention, a legally binding international document regarding domestic violence. The convention, which came into effect last year, requires that several steps be implemented to combat violence. Amid those obligations, the convention demands that countries enforce harsher penalties for those who commit psychological violence against women, including those practicing female genital mutilation and those acting as accomplices to perpetrators. The convention also orders that countries begin holding campaigns to raise awareness for gender equality, and educating students on the issue. Signatory countries will also be required to implement effective laws against domestic violence, offering protection and therapy to the victims.
More centers will be set up by the ministry to monitor and prevent violence on a city-by-city basis. More importantly, according to the convention, women who have taken shelter in guest houses run by the ministry to escape domestic violence will be monitored after they leave the guest houses. A nationwide campaign to educate the public on violence against women, anger management and gender equality are also a part of the roadmap. Men who commit acts of violence against women will be offered treatment and rehabilitation.
