Protests have erupted in the cities of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir in southwestern Turkey to demonstrate against the government's decision to abandon the convention, which calls for legislation to combat violence against women and girls.
- I did not feel safe as a woman even before this, but there was at least a law, a decision that I leaned towards.
But now it feels like I have no support.
I feel vulnerable, "Ozlem Tekin, one of the protesters in Istanbul, told Reuters.
"The decision is unacceptable"
According to the World Health Organization, 38% of women in Turkey are victims of intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, compared to 25% of women in Europe.
Protesters want Erdogan to withdraw his decision and adhere to the Istanbul Convention.
- This decision is unacceptable.
I think all women in Turkey should protest against this decision, regardless of opinion, background or belief, says Hande Avicioglu.
National laws must protect women
Several conservatives in Turkey and in Erdogan's party, the AKP, have criticized the Istanbul Convention and its stated goal of promoting gender equality, which they believe undermines family values and promotes homosexuality.
When the decision was made yesterday that Turkey should abandon the convention, no official explanation was given, but government leaders stated that domestic laws would protect women better than international solutions.
Vice President Fuat Oktay tweeted that the country's women are best protected by "preserving Turkey's traditional social structure".