Women gather across Turkey in support of anti-violence treaty

ANKARA: Women across Turkey gathered on Sunday in support of a landmark treaty on combating violence against women as fears grow over Ankara's possible withdrawal from the agreement. The demonstrations are part of the rising anger in Turkey at the growing number of women killed, including the murder of university student Pinar Gultekin this month.

There is speculation Turkey could withdraw from the Istanbul Convention that Ankara ratified in 2012, which is the world's first binding instrument to prevent and combat violence against women, from marital rape to female genital mutilation. The ruling party's deputy chairman, Numan Kurtulmus, earlier this month described signing the convention as "wrong" and suggested Turkey could withdraw.