Madam Chairperson,
Distinguished Participants,
We take pleasure to participate in the National Focal Points Conference within the framework of the "Combating Violence against Women, including Domestic Violence" campaign, launched by the Council of Europe, as a country that has realized important improvements in this field.
Thanks to this campaign by the Council of Europe; our country has full faith in the fact that many improvements are going to take place in combating violence against women, and this will serve as an example to member states in organizing similar campaigns. In this context, I would like to touch upon the efforts and improvements realized by our country in combating violence against women, including domestic violence that we consider as an important violation of human rights.
Elimination of Violence against Women is considered as an important and top priority area in our country, and there are on-going efforts on the legislative front as well as works on protective and preventive aspects. The recent legal regulations have enabled the attainment of gender equality in our legislation. But there is still need to fully enforce these changes and ensure awareness-raising. Based on these needs, our Directorate General has been implementing "Stop Violence against Women" campaign in cooperation with United Nations Population Fund since November 25th, 2004.
The following have been realized under "Stop Violence Against Women" Campaign:
- As a result of the cooperation with the General Staff; training materials, CDs and posters containing information on women's human rights, girls' schooling, violence against women and gender equality have been prepared for the recruits fulfilling their military duties in order to raise awareness among men. Every year, 450.000 soldiers are trained in this context.
- As a result of the cooperation with Turkish Clothing Industrialists Association; etiquettes containing the slogan "Stop Violence Against Women" have been attached next to the label/price tags of men's wear products; and as part of the "International Day on Elimination of Violence Against Women" posters have been used.
- The posters prepared have been exhibited in metropolitan cities and violence against women has also been covered by TV programs and drama series with high ratings.
- Two separate spot films have been produced in order to raise awareness for the elimination of violence against women and strengthening social sensitivity. These spot films are being broadcasted on national and local TV channels. The first film features the Prime Minister of Turkish Republic; State Minister; Director of Religious Affairs;and me as the Director General on the Status of Women. The other film that has been produced on the launch date of the campaign in 2004 featured celebrities and sportsmen. This spot film has also been broadcasted on TV channels and movie theater fragments.
- As a result of the cooperation with Turkish Football Federation; the players of Turkish Super League have put on banners and T-shirts signaling "Stop Violence against Women" slogans at the games.
Apart from this campaign, there are also other on-going works in the legal area, to ensure full implementation of the relevant legislation. I would like to give examples of such regulations:
- The New Turkish Criminal Code offers an important legal basis in terms of gender equality and struggles with violence against women.
- The Law on Protection of the Family has been amended. With this amendment the concept of violence is broadened. Now, not only the culpable partner but also other family members can be sued as the perpetrator of violence and if concurred by the Family Court, they can now "apply for treatment at a health institution".
- The Parliamentary Investigation Commission was established in the Parliament for the Identification of Required Measures and the Prevention of Violence against Women. The Commission prepared a comprehensive report. The Prime Ministry Circular based on this Report was published for defining the measures and responsible institutions. This circular symbolizes the acceptance of attaining gender equality and prevention of violence against women as a State policy.
- "The Committee for Monitoring Violence against Women" has been established by our Directorate General in accordance with the Circular, and is working on combating violence against women with the participation of representatives from all stakeholders. The Committee will meet twice in a year in order to evaluate improvements in this field.
- The National Action Plan's preparatory work is being formulated and comprise measures shall be taken in legal, institutional, educational and cultural areas for the prevention of violence against women within the period of 2007-2010.
- "The Training Project regarding the Role of Security Forces in the Prevention of Violence Against Women and the Procedures to be Applied"has been started. This in-service training activity shall train 40.000 security personnel.
- We have also initiated the necessary works in order to establish a reliable registry system that enables the acquisition of full and comparable statistical data.
- An EU Project on Promoting Gender Equality has been launched with the cooperation of the Directorate General on the Status of Women and the Dutch Government.
In the framework of the second component of the Project, "Combating Domestic Violence against Women"; the capacities of all stakeholders shall be developed, a database model shall be established; service delivery models shall be developed. In this context, police, social workers, nurses and judges will be trained with the training programs of the Project.
- The Department of Religious Affairs, in cooperation with our Directorate General conveys messages on stopping domestic violence through periodical preaches at the mosques, and train its personnel by means of including women's human rights subject within its in-service training program.
- In addition to preventive measures, there are also protective measures taken for awareness-raising activities and legal developments. Victims of violence are supported by psychological and social aid, medical care and financial services. In this context; there are 35 shelters operated by public and local administrations and NGOs. It is a well known fact that the current figure is insufficient to provide nationwide service. But, at the end of 2007 it is planned to rise the number of shelters to 50. According to Municipal Law, the municipalities with a population exceeding 50.000 have to open protective houses for women victims of violence. There are also plans to open 8 shelters with the use of EU funds within the framework of a cooperation project between the Ministry of Interior and UNFPA.
- The Hotline for Counseling Women and Children has been established to provide psychological, legal and economic counseling services to women and children that are exposed to violence or under the risk of violence. There are also on-going services provided by Family Counseling Centers in 20 provinces.
In addition to the multi-dimensional efforts by the State; many initiatives are also undertaken by the private sector, media and NGOs.
All these efforts and other similar activities in our country are the results of an overall combat initiated by all the stakeholders. One of the primary targets of our country is to ensure expanded continuation of these efforts. There is no doubt that countries fail to ensure women's full enjoyment of human rights is destined to tail away in terms of development. I would like to conclude by emphasizing that our country is fully aware of the importance of the topic and committed to support this project launched by the Council of Europe. We shall remain an active partner in all the other activities of the Council on combating violence against women.
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