Union leaders demand better state protection against violence against women

Union leaders are calling for more effective state mechanisms to prevent violence against women following the death of Saliha Özkol. Ahmet Serdaroğlu, president of Hür-İş and Kamu-İş, stated that violence against women cannot be treated as isolated incidents and criticized the government for failing to provide adequate protection.

Serdaroğlu emphasized that the state's primary duty is to prevent violence and protect the right to life, rather than merely conducting investigations after a crime has occurred. He called for transparency regarding how complaints are evaluated and how coordination between police, social services, and the judiciary is managed.

Metin Atan, president of the Kamu-Sen union, echoed these sentiments, questioning how many more women must die before safety becomes a genuine state policy. He argued that protection and monitoring mechanisms must function effectively in the field rather than just on paper, stressing that the state's responsibility begins before a crime occurs by identifying risks and taking timely preventative measures.