Hundreds of Turkish women marched in the country's biggest city Istanbul on Saturday to protest against the violence and animosity they face from men demanding they dress more conservatively.
The march, dubbed "Don't Mess With My Outfit", started in the Kadikoy district on the Asian side of the city. Women chanted slogans and carried denim shorts on hangers as examples of the type of clothing some men say they find unacceptable.
"We will not obey, be silenced, be afraid. We will win through resistance," the crowds chanted, holding up posters and LGBT rainbow flags.
Istanbul has long been seen as a relatively liberal city for women and gay people.
But critics say President Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party have shown little interest in expanding rights for minorities, gays and women, and are intolerant of dissent.
Protesters say there has been an increasing number of verbal and physical attacks against women for their choice of clothing.
In one incident in June, a young woman, Asena Melisa Saglam, was attacked by a man on a bus in Istanbul for wearing shorts during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Video of the incident showed the man hitting her while the bus driver watched.
"Are you not ashamed of dressing like this during Ramadan?" the footage showed the man saying.
In another incident, Canan Kaymakci, was harassed on the street in Istanbul when a man accused her of wearing provocative clothing, saying she should be careful because she was "turning people on".
Another woman, Aysegul Terzi, was called a devil and kicked by a man on a public bus, also for wearing shorts. Footage showed the man telling her that those who wear shorts "should die".
Saturday's march was joined by several members of the gay and transgender community, after Istanbul's pride march was banned by authorities late in June. [nL8N1JM0IM]
Since Erdogan took office nearly 15 years ago, restrictions on wearing the headscarf imposed by Turkey's secular 20th century leaders have been eased and more women in the mainly Muslim country have chosen to wear it.
Saturday's march saw several women protesting against the criticism they have faced for choosing to wear headscarves.
"Don't meddle with my headscarf, shorts, outfits," read posters held by participants.
Reuters
Sun Jul 30 2017
Women rights activists shout slogans during a protest against what they say are violence and animosity they face from men demanding they dress more conservatively, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 29, 2017. REUTERS
Arab Saudi dipilih pengerusikan Suruhanjaya Status Wanita (CSW) ke-69
Arab Saudi dipilih sebulat suara pada Rabu untuk mempengerusikan badan wanita Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu, Suruhanjaya Status Wanita (CSW).
Tokoh Wartawan Negara 2014, meninggal dunia
2014, Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee meninggal dunia di kediamannya 2 pagi Jumaat
ICJ arah Israel ambil tindakan atasi kebuluran di Gaza
ICJ berkata, rakyat Palestin di Gaza menghadapi keadaan hidup yang teruk, kelaparan dan kebuluran semakin meruncing.
Penipuan kewangan: Pengasas FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried dipenjara 25 tahun
Pengasas FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried dijatuhi hukuman penjara 25 tahun kerana penipuan mata wang kripto yang disifatkan sebagai salah satu penipuan kewangan terbesar dalam sejarah Amerika Syarikat.
OIC perlu tubuh pasukan pengaman
OIC perlu menubuhkan pasukan pengaman bagi menangani isu-isu berbangkit seperti penindasan ke atas rakyat Palestin.
Kekejaman zionis: PM Mustafa bentuk kabinet baharu Palestin
Perdana Menteri Palestin, Mohammad Mustafa membentuk kabinet baharu di mana beliau juga akan berkhidmat sebagai Menteri Luar.
Kekejaman zionis: ICJ arah Israel ambil tindakan atasi kebuluran di Gaza
Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) sebulat suara mengarahkan Israel untuk mengambil semua tindakan yang perlu dan berkesan untuk memastikan bekalan makanan asas tiba tanpa berlengah-lengah kepada penduduk Palestin di Gaza.
Pakaian dalam wanita Palestin jadi bahan gurauan tentera Israel
Ini sekali gus mencipta rekod visual yang sumbang tentang perang di Gaza ketika kebuluran yang semakin meruncing.
PM Mustafa bentuk kabinet baharu Palestin
Kabinet baharu itu menjadikan gencatan senjata serta-merta dan pengunduran Israel dari Gaza sebagai keutamaan.
Tokoh Wartawan Negara, Ahmad Rejal Arbee meninggal dunia
Ahmad Rejal, 84, merupakan bekas Ketua Pengarang Bernama dan bekas Pengarang Kumpulan Berita Harian.