http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=sexuality-still-a-taboo-among-women-in-turkey-2009-09-16
'Sexuality still taboo among women in Turkey' Wednesday, September 16, 2009 ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News Sexuality remains a taboo subject among women in Turkey and it is more pertinent than ever to build an inclusive and affirmative discourse on sexuality in Muslim societies, asserted a group of activists at a panel Tuesday night. The main focus of the panel organized by the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies, or CSBR, and Women for Women's Human Rights, or WWHR, was divisions in sexual identity, HIV and human rights violations in the domain of sexuality that continue to be legitimized through the misuse of religion, tradition and culture. Speaking at the panel on Tuesday, Nigar Karacik from the Canakkale Women's Rights Foundation highlighted how many issues related to sexuality remain taboo in Turkey. "Women often learn about sexuality from hearsay," Karacik said. "The subject has no place at home, and women are merely taught that their sexual organs are bad and are prohibited from discussing the issue." Identifying how alarming the issue is, Karacik gave examples of young women who were cast out of their homes for wearing too much make up or being seen hand-in-hand with a boy on the streets. "Women are constrained from expressing themselves because of such taboos and thus they become inferior in society," she said. Outlining the aims of the CSBR and its branches, Karacik said that given the current polarization it is more pertinent than ever to strengthen critical insight; conduct further research; enhance knowledge and capacity on sexual health and rights; and build an inclusive and affirmative discourse on sexuality in Muslim societies. "Panels such as these provide opportunities to create a better understanding of sexuality and raise further awareness about the problems that so many come face-to-face with each day," Karacik said. Karacik said women's rights centers need to work more closely in order to bring young women together and make them aware of their rights. "Today many women are forced into sexual experiences and are put into positions where they have no say," Karacik said. "At our centers, we do not force people to do things; we merely make them aware." In fitting with the CSBR's aims, such panels will be held in Istanbul in order to advance a holistic approach to sexuality and sexual rights through advocacy, publications, training, research and campaigns.
