Challenge Accepted

A few days back on Instagram I got tagged by Natalia for a black and white photo she posted of herself when she graduated college. She messaged me directly saying "I was careful to choose who I think will meet the challenge, but above all who I know who shares this type of thinking, we should take care of each other. We are beautiful the way we are. Post a photo in black and white alone, written “challenge accepted” and mention my name. Identify 50 women to do the same, in private. I chose you because you are beautiful, strong and incredible. Let's ❤️ each other!" I wasn't sure what the #ChallengeAccepted was about so it lead me to Google. I saw that it was meant to show solidarity between women; to show that we support one another. So I posted my own photo not fully realising where this hashtag began until I came across a post mentioning the unbelievable domestic violence occurring in Turkey. Vahit Tuna is the artist who created this incredibly moving installation to bring focus to the 440 women killed in 2018 by men, mostly their husbands.

(photo kidnapped from boredpanda - please read the article that gives a brief background on the piece)

For more information there's this article on The Sun and this one on KQED. The latter site gives some good ideas on how to support and help the women of Turkey. Please consider following this link to Change.org's petition regarding the Istanbul Convention. It's in Turkish but this is what the petition is for:

The Istanbul Convention and Law No. 6284 were adopted to prevent violence against women and domestic violence. While this law protecting women has not been implemented properly, it is now on the agenda to be completely abolished. 

While discussing the Istanbul Convention:
Women lose their lives
Killed by torment
Trying to cover up women's murders

With this campaign, we demand that the discussions on the abolition of the law end and be implemented effectively.

If you are not aware of the contents of the Istanbul Convention and the law numbered 6284, please continue reading the campaign text. Because the rights given to women by law are vital for all women.

By signing and sharing the campaign, you can both demand our existing rights and ensure that this campaign reaches women who are not aware of these rights.

Law No. 6284, which exists but is not implemented effectively, gives women the following rights:
● Placement of women and children in a shelter located in another city or city,
● Providing temporary protection (close protection) in case of life-threatening,
Removing the violent from the house and preventing the woman who is exposed to violence from approaching your addresses such as residence, school, workplace,
● Preventing violent users from disturbing them via communication tools such as telephone, mail, social media,
● Hiding the address of the woman who has been subjected to violence in order not to be seen in any institution,
● Change of the workplace,
● The violator surrendering his gun to the police (even if he is serving as a police and gendarmerie),
● Temporary financial assistance,
● A family residence comment on the house where the woman lives,
● Temporary custody and measure alimony,
● Changing your identity and other related information may be requested,
● In addition, even if the woman is not insured or even if the insurance premium debt is valid, she can benefit from health services within the scope of the insurance and can take your medicines under insurance.

Adding your name to the petition is such a small thing that may lead to great change. It is the very least someone can do to save lives.