A protest started up while we were in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, so I took some photos. I was lucky enough to find a local who spoke english and he translated the signs and chants for me.

These women were protesting honor killings. The UN estimates that as many as 5000 women around the world are killed by their families in the name of “honor.”

My translator told me that in the southeast region of Turkey, women who are targeted for honor killings and seek help and protection from the local police and are often ignored and refused protection. How utterly horrible!

This terrible practice is not confined to the middle east, either. This happens in America, England, and CanadaArchived Link, too.

I am glad these women were protesting and bringing awareness to this tragic issue.