12.02.2025 18:00
The words of Zahide Yetiş, a daytime television program host who made a presentation at the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Research Commission on Violence and Discrimination Against Women, drew reactions. Yetiş stated, "Even though we call it violence against women, sometimes women do this too," prompting the MPs from the Democratic Party (DEM) to leave the commission. Yetiş then asked, "I didn't understand why you left?"
The members of the DEM Party left the commission in response to the words of daytime program host Zahide Yetiş at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Research Commission on Violence Against Women and Discrimination, while CHP members did not attend the commission.
ZAHEDE YETİŞ PRESENTED AT THE TBMM COMMISSION The TBMM Research Commission on Violence Against Women and Discrimination convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Istanbul Deputy Hulki Cevizoğlu. In the commission, Zahide Yetiş, the host of the daytime program "Yeniden Başlasak," along with representatives from the Television Viewing Research Inc. (TİAK) and the Radio and Television Broadcasters Professional Union (RATEM), made a presentation.
"SITTING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND MAKING JUDGMENTS IS A LAZY JOB" Commission Chairman Cevizoğlu conveyed that Yeni Yol Group Deputy Mehmet Emin Ekmen, in his speech at the General Assembly, said regarding the commission, "This year is the year of the family, what will we learn from Zahide Yetiş in the commission?" Cevizoğlu noted that the role of the media in the sources of violence and discrimination against women was addressed, and the media's role in the increase of violence was discussed, stating, "It is the duty of this commission to investigate the pathological and sociological conditions of both criminals and convicts. Our aim is not to make remarks to the General Assembly, but we invited all our friends. We told those who want to ask questions to come and ask their questions. Criticism can be made about the programs, but all of these need to be discussed. We are trying to delve into the sources of a social problem here. It is a wrong attitude to make explanations lazily without working. You need to get up from your conformist seats and come here to ask questions. Sitting in the General Assembly and making judgments is a lazy job," he said.
ZAHEDE YETİŞ: SOMETIMES WOMEN DO THIS TOO Television presenter Zahide Yetiş, speaking in the commission, expressed her sadness regarding Deputy Mehmet Emin Ekmen's words, "What will the deputies learn from Zahide Yetiş?" stating, "I understand that I need to start with some of the deputies here, as I came to speak for this very reason. I was raised to learn something from everyone. We see where violence against women begins. Everyone here has a mother. In our lives, we choose some men, while we cannot choose others. Women are most often subjected to violence from fathers, children, and husbands. Even if we call it violence against women, sometimes women do this too," she said.
DEM DEPUTIES LEFT THE COMMISSION In response to Yetiş's remarks, DEM Party deputies Özgül Saki, Sevilay Çelenk, and Adalet Kaya said, "Choose wisely whom you will invite to the commission. Saying 'women also commit violence' is a very big problem. Do not immediately react to a deputy criticizing you. We came here to listen to you without prejudice, but you are very sexist," and left the commission room. Yetiş responded, "I didn't understand why you left, but thank you anyway."
Yeni Yol Group Deputy Elif Esen also stated, "I actually wanted to listen to you very objectively, I am not even a member of the commission, but my similar views have been reinforced," and left the commission.