The United Nations has sent a special envoy to a region in southeastern Turkey to investigate a rise in the rate of suicides among women. There have been increased reports of suicides among women in some areas of Turkey even though the national average of suicides in the country is low compared to those for other nations, U.N. special rapporteur on violence against women, Yakin Erturk, said.But over the past two years, the number of women in Batman who have committed suicide has been more than the men, which is contrary to the world trend.
During her 10-day visit, Erturk is visiting Ankara, Batman, Van and Sanliurfa to gather first-hand information on violence against women in the country.
There are claims the increase in suicides of women and girls is linked to stricter laws against people found guilty of what is known as honor killings. Erturk said there is currently “no conclusive evidence” to back this claim, but she will be checking it. Some suspect the women are being forced to commit suicide in order to remove the shame from their families.