Erdogan: "Discrimination against women is inhuman"

Speaking at a Turkish Metals Union congress, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday reached out to women who are oppressed, facing harassment, used as cheap labor, subjected to terrorism, or victims of outmoded patriarchal codes. Marking International Women's Day, Erdogan said discrimination against women is inhuman, adding that Turkish traditions place women at the center of the household and social and economic life. In related news, a bill is in the works to stem the growing tide of murders of women across the nation. Fatma Sahin, head of the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) women's branches, told news channel NTV yesterday that under the bill, anyone who threatens women with violence will be liable to punishment, whether they carry through on their threats or not. The bill is meant to ensure that threats are dealt with more urgently and practically and would also expand the authority of police officers.