What to expect when you’re expecting, in Turkey?

Apparently not just a baby, nowadays.

Turkey’s conservative government -only to be called “conservative” if your idea of conservation is advocating Islamic lifestyle rather than the conventional definition of guarding and protecting the traditional institutions- has gained speed and aggression on its policies which will ultimately result in social exclusion of women from the urban life.

For more than a decade now, Turkish Prime Minister and his “minions” have been actively carrying on a propaganda to discourage women from work and daily life by making statements concerning various subjects via different channels, including the internet, daily newspapers, magazines, and even the state television (TRT) all with a common purpose; social exclusion of women.

It was only a few months ago when, all of a sudden, the whole country began to discuss WOMEN’s right to abortion, where the government had no hesitation showing its anti-abortion colors, linking it with its religious background. Following the “Gezi Clash”, which was merely about the preservation of a public park in the beginning,  the prime minister and his entourage criticized and used abusive words against the protesting crowds, yet again based on their looks, their religious beliefs and even their drinks(!) instead of the cause they have been standing up for; regardless of its righteousness.

More people from the government, encouraged by their commander(!)’s hateful speech, and the media, mostly associated with the government, have taken up this habit of weekly verbal assaults againts women, againts political oppositions and even againts people from different regilions/orders.

Breda, Netherlands - 2010

Captured on September 4, 2010 shows pregnant women posing for a photographer in Breda, during a protest claiming better circumstances for mothers worldwide.

In June 2013, during a talk-show named Ramazan Sevinci (Ramadan Joy) on TRT (Government TV) a religious scholar named Omer Tugrul Inancer, claimed that it is inappropriate for pregnant women to walk around the streets, and it should be considered insolent and shameful. He also added, that it does not look good (in an aesthetic aspect) and if the pregnant women “need some air” they need to take a joy-ride alongside their husbands; instead of walking outside, by themselves.

So basically, as a woman, you are expected to give birth to AT LEAST three children, have no abortions, no walking around after six months of pregnancy, no showing-off your baby belly. And you are not supposed to drive, your husband will take you to a city-tour only if that becomes really necessary.

Of couse all of these above only applies if you are a decent(!) sunni-muslim woman with a headscarf; otherwise you could just drop dead, since you are ineligible to live in this country in the eyes of the government, that is holy and mighty.

Long story short, expect the worst, when you are expecting in Turkey.