This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30183711
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Turkey president Erdogan: Women are not equal to men | Turkey president Erdogan: Women are not equal to men |
(2 days later) | |
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said women cannot be treated as equal to men, and has accused feminists of rejecting motherhood. | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said women cannot be treated as equal to men, and has accused feminists of rejecting motherhood. |
"You cannot put women and men on an equal footing," he told a meeting in Istanbul. "It is against nature." | "You cannot put women and men on an equal footing," he told a meeting in Istanbul. "It is against nature." |
He also said feminists did not grasp the importance of motherhood in Islam. | He also said feminists did not grasp the importance of motherhood in Islam. |
His comments often seek to appeal to his pious core supporters, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul, but they anger more liberal voters. | His comments often seek to appeal to his pious core supporters, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul, but they anger more liberal voters. |
Turks who have more secular views argue that the government's social policies are taking the country in a dangerous direction, our correspondent says. | Turks who have more secular views argue that the government's social policies are taking the country in a dangerous direction, our correspondent says. |
Mr Erdogan has previously urged women to have three children, and has lashed out against abortion and birth by Caesarean section. | Mr Erdogan has previously urged women to have three children, and has lashed out against abortion and birth by Caesarean section. |
'Delicate nature' | 'Delicate nature' |
His latest remarks were delivered at a women's conference in Istanbul. | His latest remarks were delivered at a women's conference in Istanbul. |
"In the workplace, you cannot treat a man and a pregnant woman in the same way," Mr Erdogan said, according to the Anadolu news agency. | |
Women cannot do all the work done by men, he added, because it was against their "delicate nature". | Women cannot do all the work done by men, he added, because it was against their "delicate nature". |
"Our religion regards motherhood very highly," he said. "Feminists don't understand that, they reject motherhood." | "Our religion regards motherhood very highly," he said. "Feminists don't understand that, they reject motherhood." |
He said women needed equal respect rather than equality. | He said women needed equal respect rather than equality. |
Mr Erdogan also told the Istanbul meeting that justice was the solution to most of the world's issues - including racism, anti-Semitism, and "women's problems". | Mr Erdogan also told the Istanbul meeting that justice was the solution to most of the world's issues - including racism, anti-Semitism, and "women's problems". |
The Turkish leader often courts controversy with his statements. | The Turkish leader often courts controversy with his statements. |
Earlier this month, he claimed that Muslims had discovered the Americas more than 300 years before Christopher Colombus. | Earlier this month, he claimed that Muslims had discovered the Americas more than 300 years before Christopher Colombus. |
In his 11 years as prime minister, Mr Erdogan became a crucial player in regional politics. | In his 11 years as prime minister, Mr Erdogan became a crucial player in regional politics. |
However, his reputation has suffered recently over the crisis in Syria, and accusations of authoritarianism. | However, his reputation has suffered recently over the crisis in Syria, and accusations of authoritarianism. |
Previous version
1
Next version