Turkish president: We always oppose abuses against women

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed his support women in their struggle to obtain rights claim and condemned sexist assaults.

"Women do not expect favors but justice. They do not demand quotas but a fair race. They do not want to be abused but respected," he told the 21st Women Workers' Grand Convention of metal unions Tuesday in capital Ankara to mark International Women's Day.

Erdogan underlined the role and significance of women in his 40-year political life, throughout which he said he was supported by women who stood by him in all the battles he fought.

"Behind all my achievements, there has always been the endeavor, great effort and sacrifice of women," he said.

He noted that nobody could turn a deaf ear to or turn their back on women's demands.

"We have always stood by our women's demand for justice, and protested against abuses based on their gender," he said.

The president stated that the mentality of keeping women housebound and isolated from economic and social life had been prevalent until recently.

Erdogan further maintained that there should be no discrimination between women wearing headscarves and those who did not.

"Women should not be assessed by the headscarf on their head or dress on them but by the opinions in their head and the belief in their heart," he said.

The president however voiced his objection to attempts to free women by destroying the "institution of family" and related values.

"This is the kind of approach that paves the way for abuses against women in all fields," he said.

Erdogan also highlighted the role of women in the Turkish people's War of Independence back in the 1920s.

"There was also sister Serife who froze to death while carrying ammunition to the front. There were also the Black Fatmas who fought against the enemy in Erzurum and Izmir with their troops consisting of women," he said.

Later, Erdogan also addressed the issue at a reception at the presidential palace.

"Women and men are not competitors as it is claimed by some people, rather they complement each other," said Erdogan.

He also said women should participate in politics more and added the contrary would be a "great loss" for the whole society.

Erdogan also said they would "never" allow terrorist organizations to "poison" youths, especially "young ladies".

"Exploitation of young ladies by terrorist organizations should get [same] reactions, [as when men] raise their hands on women," he added.