Hundreds in western Turkey remember slain girl, protest violence against women

A group of people in the Aegean province of Mu?la gathered in memory of a young girl who was murdered on June 17, protesting the recent increase of violence against women across Turkey.

About 500 people protested in the Ortaca district of Mu?la for 18-year-old Cansu Kaya, who was found dead in the Dalyan canal last week, the latest in a series of high-profile cases of violence against women across the country. 

The group marched with placards showing pictures of slain women in Turkey and chanted slogans in the streets.

Nilgün ?ahin, the Ortaca municipality city council secretary-general, made a statement on behalf of the group, pointing to the increasing number of femicides in the country.

"The women who were brutally murdered this year are among us right now. The horrific male violence that sticks the words in our throats is still continuing to make our lives miserable without boundaries. The male-dominant mentality, which bereaves women of any age, color or language, has murdered a total of 144 sisters since the beginning of 2015. We have gathered here today for the brutal murder of 18-year-old Cansu Kaya. We are aware that those who murdered Cansu want to murder us too," said ?ahin.

Kaya was found dead on June 17 in the Dalyan canal by her sister Burcu Kaya, who had been searching for her since June 14. She had been staying in a small hotel in the touristic town of Dalyan and was working as a waitress in a restaurant.