02/06/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
In her speech in Parliament, Otlu called for easier access to hormones and the recognition of the right to abortion. She was targeted on social media by Islamist groups.
Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Istanbul Member of Parliament Çiçek Otlu spoke at the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
In her speech, Otlu called for easier access to hormones for trans women and for the recognition of the right to abortion. Her remarks were targeted by Islamist groups on social media.
In her speech, Otlu said the following:
“We want health policies in this country to be shaped according to gender equality. We want women’s health centers to be opened in this country. In many places, women cannot go to the hospital because there is no female doctor; we want the number of female doctors to be increased in this country. Cancer is the disease that kills the most women in this country. There needs to be more awareness about cancer and uterine cancer. We want HPV vaccines to be free, and we want birth control methods that women cannot access, such as IUDs and birth control pills, to be free in this country. We want women to be able to give birth the way they choose, we want the right to abortion to be recognized, and we want hormone medications to be free for trans women. We want proper treatment environments to be provided for women in prisons. In other words, we demand that health policies be shaped according to gender equality and that women have access to all forms of health rights.”
“Defending these rights is exactly what should be done in a democratic society”
DEM Party Istanbul Member of Parliament Özgül Saki also made a statement on her social media accounts regarding the targeting of Çiçek Otlu. In her statement, Saki said the following:
“Access to hormone medications for trans people and the right to abortion for women are integral parts of individuals having control over their own bodies and access to equal healthcare. They are fundamental health rights. Our dear Çiçek Otlu’s defense of these rights is exactly what should be done in a democratic society. Defending these rights is neither a “luxury” nor a “marginal” political stance; on the contrary, it is a necessity for social justice, the rule of law in a democratic state, and the principle of equality in healthcare services. Every attack targeting the health rights of women and trans people is an attack not only on individuals but on the democratic rights of society as a whole.”
Tags: human rights, women, health
