Ankara: The barbarity against women in Gaza has not received the reaction it deserves, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. Speaking at an event in the capital Ankara to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Erdogan emphasized the need for a stronger global response to the violence faced by women in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan highlighted that the identities of the perpetrator and the victim have determined the tone of the response, particularly criticizing the international community's failure to adequately pressure Israel despite the severity of the crimes committed. He pointed out that two-thirds of the 70,000 Palestinians martyred in the Gaza conflict were women and children, describing these figures as alarming for those with a conscience.

Erdogan vowed to defend what is right irrespective of the identity of the oppressor or the oppressed, asserting that those who allow their reactions to be influenced by the identities involved are complicit in the ongoing oppression and injustice. He stated that every attack on women's life, property, and dignity is an inhumane act requiring unwavering resistance.

The Turkish president also expressed his disapproval of using violence against women as a tool for ideological battles or power struggles. He called such violence a betrayal of humanity and emphasized the moral duty to combat these acts collectively. As a leader and a father, Erdogan reaffirmed his commitment to fighting violence against women and children, a cause he has consistently championed.