"It was early evening, around 6 p.m., when I got on the metro to go home. It was the usual rush hour crowd, people standing close together, everyone tired and quiet. I found a spot and tried to focus on my phone, already counting the stops until I
For many young women in İstanbul, social media is part of daily life. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp are not only spaces to connect with friends but also platforms for creativity, learning, and self-expression. However, these same spaces can also bring risks such as harassment, manipulation, and even blackmail.
İstanbul is a city full of energy, culture, and opportunity, but for many women it is also a place where daily safety concerns cannot be ignored. From crowded metro stations to late-night walks home, harassment and the risk of assault are realities that shape how women move through the city.
Sexual assault is defined as “any sexual contact or behavior that happens without clear, voluntary, and informed consent”(rainn.org). According to a report by Kadir Has University, over 40% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, and 93% have been subjected to
In the year 2024, Türkiye has recorded the highest ever femicide rates, being over 390 women. One of the two most controversial femicides being the murders of İkbal Uzuner and Ayşenül Halil. These women were murdered by 19-year-old Semih Çelik. These two young women were murdered in broad daylight on
Experiencing sexual assault leaves deep emotional and psychological scars that cannot be ignored. Survivors often carry feelings of shame, fear, or guilt, even though none of these emotions should belong to them. The trauma is never the victim’s fault. It is a result of someone else’s decision to
Türkiye’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention accurately depicted the growing tension between progressive human rights frameworks and unwillingness to cooperate towards a more equal and safe society. It has actively demonstrated and symbolized the value of human rights compared to political interests, and has left the women and young
