The Ministry of Family and Social Services sent a circular titled “On the Use of Gender and Certain Concepts” to its general directorates and 81 provincial offices. The circular stated that in all activities carried out by the Ministry’s units, together with national and international institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, a unified stance should be adopted against concepts such as “gender,” “gender identity,” “LGBT” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender), “SOGIESC” (sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics), and “comprehensive sexuality education.”

The circular emphasized that the state’s oppositional stance toward these concepts should be reflected in official documents and meetings. It claimed that such terms pose a threat to the structure of the family. A letter from the Directorate General instructed that terms such as “gender,” “gender identity,” and “sexual orientation” should be avoided. It further alleged that these concepts weaken the institutions of marriage and family and cause harm to women, children, and the overall fabric of society. The circular also noted that the year 2025 has been declared the “Year of the Family” and stated that the circular was prepared within this framework.

The circular was met with strong reactions from women’s organizations and legal experts. Women’s rights advocates emphasized that while no concrete steps are being taken to address femicides, violence, and the politics of impunity, the government continues to marginalize women from public life through such circulars and extends its intervention into every aspect of daily life. In response, Suzan Işbilen, Chair of the Rosa Women’s Association, evaluated the circular sent to provincial directorates and its potential consequences.

Suzan Işbilen emphasized that the concept of gender is based on scientific and historical foundations. She said: “The true aim of this circular is clear. The government seeks to eliminate the concept of gender altogether. This is not a term that women invented out of thin air. It was defined in the 1800s in England by sociologists and scholars studying gender roles.”

Işbilen continued: “This concept emerged as a result of five thousand years of female enslavement. It refers to the unequal social roles between women and men. Gender roles have systematically excluded women. Women are positioned as those who serve at home and give birth, while men are placed as the subjects of society. These roles are reproduced in every sphere, from television series to educational institutions.”

CEDAW Convention is being violated

Suzan Işbilen pointed out that the circular itself defines gender as a social, not biological, concept but argued that the government is deliberately misinterpreting this to push women back under male domination. She said, “We are faced with a mentality that leaves women at the mercy of men and exposes them to violence.”

Drawing attention to international agreements that Turkey is a party to, Işbilen added: “The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) acknowledges the negative impacts of gender on women and requires preventive measures. The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) also guarantees equal rights for women. This circular is a clear violation of these obligations.”

They sustain their power through attacks on women’s rights

Işbilen also noted that approaches to sexuality education for young people are being targeted. She said, “While the World Health Organization recommends sexuality education as essential for healthy relationships, this circular reflects an effort to raise an uninformed generation. The Istanbul Convention was the first international treaty to criminalize domestic violence. It defined any sexual act without a woman’s consent as rape. Now, we are returning to the mentality of ‘men do as they please.’”

As the economic crisis worsens and poverty deepens, Işbilen argued that the government, unable to offer real solutions to these social problems, is instead attacking women’s hard-won gains. She said: “With this circular, they are worsening women’s conditions within the family. They have reached a point where they ignore articles that guarantee women equal rights with men in political, social, and educational spheres. We oppose this. They are trying to sustain their power by targeting our hard-earned rights.”

We will protect our rights

Suzan Işbilen issued a call to resist the new threats facing women and concluded her remarks with the following: “We will protect the rights we have won by paying a heavy price over the years. Denying the concept of gender will not render violence against women invisible. We have held marches and organized workshops in Diyarbakır. Now once again, we will take to the streets and continue our struggle in an organized way. We will render this circular ineffective.”