Women's groups condemn Turkey's new draft constitution

Sharia Coming To Turkey Alert: "Women condemn Turkey constitution," by Sarah Rainsford for the BBC:

Women's groups in Turkey have condemned a new draft constitution, saying it sets the country back years in terms of gender equality.
A new constitution is being prepared to replace the current one, introduced after the military coup of 1980.

The document describes women as a vulnerable group needing protection.

The proposed constitution has already sparked fierce debate with a clause to allow women to attend university wearing the Islamic headscarf.

Speaking on Tuesday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured critics the new draft constitution will reflect the values and needs of all groups of society.

'Patriarchal society'

More than 80 women's groups have come together to voice strong opposition to the draft constitution, calling it a major step backwards for equal rights.

The current constitution in Turkey obliges the government to ensure equality for all - a clause that women's groups fought hard to include.

The new draft removes that, describing women instead as a vulnerable group in need of special protection.

Women's rights activist Selen Lermioglu calls that worrying proof that Turkey is still a highly patriarchal society.

"If the government accepts this it will show their ideology and mindset about women and men - that women are a group that needs to be protected," she said.

There is an edge to this characterization of women as a group that needs to be protected. Qur'an 4:34 says, according to Ali, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means." Dawood translates this as "Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other." The Arabic word in question here for "are the protectors and maintainers" or "have authority over" is قوامون -- qawwamoona. "Guardians" would be a good translation of this -- thus encompassing both protection and authority.

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15 Comments

exsgtbrown | October 4, 2007 6:26 AM

...Muslim women around the world can attest to the horrible conditions that Muslim male protection provides....apparently these women know all about it....

Cornelius | October 4, 2007 7:52 AM

Dhimmis are another "protected" class of people in Islamic society. Bat Ye'or characterizes them as "immature" in the Muslim perception.

"Protected" in the Islamic nomenclature means subservient.

exsgtbrown | October 4, 2007 8:30 AM

""Protected" in the Islamic nomenclature means subservient.

Posted by: Cornelius "

....I agree...

the poetess | October 4, 2007 9:41 AM

If these women don't want to submit,then they are apostates, for mohammed and his god, allah have clearly stated women are inferior, not as smart, or as spiritual as men. This is the doctrine of Islam.

exsgtbrown | October 4, 2007 9:50 AM

" allah have clearly stated women are inferior, not as smart, or as spiritual as men. This is the doctrine of Islam.

Posted by: the poetess"

....it even says so in the holy books the Muslims revere....

Proud Infidel | October 4, 2007 10:38 AM

Unfortunately for women, Islam's idea of protecting them means locking them up, hiding their bodies and faces, female genital mutilation and preventing them from living a normal life. And death if one of a woman's whacked out male relatives comes to the conclusion she has dishonored the family.

So the collapse of the Turkish secualr model continues. I never thought I'd see the day I'd come to the conclusion a military coup would be a good thing for a country and the world. Such is the sick, warped thing called Islam.

ebonystone | October 4, 2007 11:11 AM

How is this draft constitution to be approved? By popular referendum, or by some kind of assembly? If by referendum, do women have the right to vote?

Celsius | October 4, 2007 1:08 PM

It's ironic, that in islamic terms "military coup" actually means more human rights!

Joe Schmoe USA | October 4, 2007 2:46 PM

"A major step backwards for equal rights"

Everything about Islam is a major step backward.

The big joke is how CAIR aligns its “struggle” with the equal rights movement in the USA.

I’m sure Mr. King if he were alive today would denounce Islam.

Mr. King was a true Christian.

tanstaafl | October 4, 2007 4:40 PM

In this case, protection means possesion.

profitsbeard | October 4, 2007 10:36 PM

Of course they need "protection".

From their own tyrannical Muslim men.

These ladies need to read old "Lysistrata".

Their crossed legs would end this nonsense in days.

exsgtbrown | October 5, 2007 11:28 AM

"How is this draft constitution to be approved? By popular referendum, or by some kind of assembly? If by referendum, do women have the right to vote?

Posted by: ebonystone"

1934: Women in Turkey earn full voting rights..

2and2is5 | October 5, 2007 6:24 PM

Women need 'protection' does that mean they are 'dhimmis'? since 'dhimmis' are given 'protection' under pigslam.

With protection like this I think I'd rather talk to the M.A.F.I.A.

islam - u keep-a u hands OFF!!!

What women in the West need is PROTECTION at the hands of our [cowardly] judges!

Just WHO do they need to be protected FROM?

If you guessed the "islamic rape gangs" then you are an anti-dhimmi who can think for yourself.

Ironic isn't it.. women in actuality need to be protected FROM these "uncovered meat" women-protectors.

Oh baby baby it's a WEIRD world...

One_of_the_last_few_Patriots_left | October 6, 2007 2:36 AM

profitsbeard wrote: "Their crossed legs would end this nonsense in days."

I fear not, profitsbeard; remember this is no ordinary "civilization" we are talking about, but rather the ultra-violent thug cult created by the baby-molester psychopath "prophet" Muhammad. If a Muslima does not "put out" when her HOMICIDAL jihadist looney suicide bomber husband wants a foretaste of his 72 virgin reward before going out and blowing himself up while killing infidel dogs, he will just beat the S@#t out of her. Indeed, Sura 4:34 sanctions just that. I call Sura 4:34 the "Wife Beater Sura."

*LOL*

One_of_the_last_few_Patriots_left | October 6, 2007 2:38 AM

With the secular Turkish state faltering due to demographics and fanaticism, in a couple of decades Turkey will be a New Ottoman dagger aimed at the underbelly of Europe.

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