With the #MeToo movement becoming popular worldwide, someone would expect that the world would gradually abandon old patriarchal laws and stereotypes and pave the way for a feminist society. Unfortunately, it seems that women supporting their right to bodily autonomy is not enough for many governments all over the planet.
In a shockingly archaic move, the Turkish parliament decided to introduce a so-called "marry-your-rapist" bill. This is supposed to force victims of sexual assault under 18 years old to marry their assaulters. Yes, you read correctly. According to critics, such legislation will legitimize child marriage and minimize the gravity of sexual assault.
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The bill will be introduced in the Turkish parliament by the end of January 2020. However, activists across the country are currently striking back. Turkey's opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), also joined the fight against this regressive bill.
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That's not the first time the Middle Eastern country has introduced such an oppressive bill. Back in 2016, a similar bill was introduced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also claimed that equality between men and women is "against nature" at a summit in Istanbul in 2014. Fortunately, that bill had been defeated after it sparked immense outrage. Violence against women is prevalent in the nation. According to data from the UN, a shocking 38% of Turkish women have suffered physical or sexual violence from their partners. Nevertheless, concepts of shame and honor are also prevalent, which explains the reemergence of such a horrible bill.
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The UN and its agencies have thus stepped in to warn the country against passing the bill. Whether this criticism will make an impact on Turkish lawmakers or simply fall on deaf ears is another question to be asked. Women's rights have progressed thanks to the brave and fierce activism of local and international bodies and protestors. Hopefully, the country won't regress to the dark ages and will choose to listen to survivors and their pleas instead.
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