UPDATE - Turkey: 1st lady stresses ending violence against women

UPDATES WITH TURKISH WOMEN RIGHTS GROUP’S STATEMENT

By Ilkay Guder and Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Turkey's first lady Emine Erdogan on Saturday said that Turkey will continue its efforts to combat violence against women.

Writing on her personal Twitter account, Erdogan said: "Turkey will continue to spearhead and support all national and global efforts for a fair, equal, and peaceful life far from violence."

Separately, the Family and Social Policies Ministry posted a banner and short video marking the international day.

The first lady also shared the video, and the banner read: "Violence against women is a betrayal of humanity."

On his Twitter account, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also marked the occasion, saying: "Today we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

"We must resolutely continue our efforts to prevent violence against women, protect and enhance the rights of women, and strengthen their status in society."

Meanwhile, a Turkish women’s group launched a campaign to mark the day, in an attempt to raise awareness of the issue.

"Violence against women is a human rights violation and a common problem of all societies, regardless of language, religion, race, class, ethnicity, sect, or gender,” the Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM) said in a statement.

Referring to a video posted on the group’s Twitter account, the group said violence is not an issue of gender.

“Brown bears which can kill a buffalo in a single blow never use that power against females,” the group tweeted with a video showing a male bear showing affection to a she-bear.