Istanbul, August 7 (RHC)-- In Turkey, thousands of women rallied in cities nationwide demanding the government cancel plans to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a landmark treaty aimed at preventing violence against women. 

According to the organization We Will Stop Femicides Platform, at least 474 women were murdered across Turkey last year, most of them by family members or intimate partners. 

Lawyer and activist Gulsah Kaya speaking at a protest in Istanbul said: “The lives of women are already under threat in this country, and revoking the Istanbul Convention would enact a slaughter against all women.  That’s why we are here today.  Although the government says they will delay discussions for revoking the accord, we are here today asking them to take this topic off the table completely.”