The Turkish withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. A case study on effects for domestic secular women's organizations
Author
Schnippat, Patricia Henrieke
Term
4. term
Publication year
2023
Abstract
This qualitative case study examines the effects of Turkey’s 2021 withdrawal from the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on domestic secular women’s organizations that combat gender-based violence. Guided by transnational feminist theory, concepts of patriarchy and violence, and social movement scholarship, the study asks what effects the withdrawal had on these organizations. The case is situated within the broader context of gender-based violence in Turkey, relevant legal frameworks, and EU–Turkey relations. Empirically, it draws on interviews and supplementary sources (public statements, news articles, and reports) analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that women in Turkey face persistent, multifaceted violence rooted in patriarchal state structures; that the Istanbul Convention served as an important legal and normative guide for victims and organizations; and that the withdrawal heightened tensions between civil society and the government amid a broader pro-family, anti-gender agenda. The withdrawal is interpreted as the culmination of a decade of anti-gender policy and a backlash against gender equality. Despite severe constraints, secular women’s organizations remain active, leverage windows of opportunity, build solidarity, and—rather than being halted—have strengthened their agendas in response. The study acknowledges limitations, including the need for longer-term observation of resistance dynamics and closer examination of evolving networking strategies, and it does not address discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity.
Dette kvalitative casestudie undersøger konsekvenserne af Tyrkiets tilbagetrækning i 2021 fra Europarådets Istanbulkonvention for indenlandske sekulære kvindeorganisationer, der bekæmper kønsbaseret vold. Med udgangspunkt i transnational feministisk teori, begreber om patriarkat og vold samt socialbevægelsesteori stiller studiet spørgsmålet, hvilke effekter tilbagetrækningen havde på disse organisationer. Casen placeres i konteksten af kønsbaseret vold i Tyrkiet, relevante retslige rammer og forholdet mellem EU og Tyrkiet. Empirisk bygger analysen på interviews og supplerende kilder (offentlige udtalelser, nyhedsartikler og rapporter), som behandles gennem tematisk analyse. Resultaterne peger på, at kvinder i Tyrkiet lever med vedvarende, mangfoldige former for vold rodfæstet i statslige patriarkalske strukturer; at Istanbulkonventionen var en vigtig juridisk og normativ ramme for ofre og organisationer; samt at tilbagetrækningen skærpede spændingerne mellem civilsamfund og regering i lyset af en bredere pro-familie og anti-gender dagsorden. Tilbagetrækningen tolkes som kulminationen på et årtis anti-gender politik og et backlash mod ligestilling. På trods af alvorlige begrænsninger fortsætter sekulære kvindeorganisationer deres arbejde, udnytter mulighedernes vinduer, opbygger solidaritet og har – frem for at blive stoppet – styrket deres dagsordener som svar. Studiet anerkender begrænsninger, herunder behovet for længerevarende observation af modstandsdynamikker og nærmere undersøgelse af udviklende netværksstrategier, og omfatter ikke diskrimination baseret på seksualitet og kønsidentitet.
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