Rethinking Progress on Ending Violence against Women and Girls Symposium

Description of Activity

Invited Talk: Turkey’s (Failing) Positive Obligations in Combatting Violence against Women: Looking Behind the Judgments

Abstract: Fifteen years after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Turkey has a “climate conducive to domestic violence” in the landmark Opuz v. Turkey case (2009), Dr Gulel reveals how Turkey’s authoritarian and islamist transformation has deepened rather than addressed the crisis of violence against women (VAW) in the country. Through systematic analysis of legal frameworks, judicial decisions, and government policies, this presentation exposes how the state fails across all four pillars of due diligence: prevention, investigation, prosecution, and remedy provision. The research also demonstrates how Turkey’s unconstitutional withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention represents the culmination of the deterioration of women’s rights and freedoms since Erdogan and his party, the AKP, came into power in 2002. Dr Gulel’s work provides essential evidence for understanding how national authorities systematically evade their obligation to protect (female) citizens. This analysis reveals patterns crucial for policymakers and practitioners working to enforce state compliance with VAW prevention obligations globally.

Period	3 Jul 2025
Event title	Rethinking Progress on Ending Violence against Women and Girls Symposium
Event type	Conference
Location	Portsmouth, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	Local