ISTANBUL, Turkey, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Turkish government, in an effort to prevent violence against women, has prohibited sexist military march cadences, officials say.
Certain military cadences that include lines advocating violence against women have been banned and replaced by patriotic slogans, Today's Zaman reported Tuesday.
One such banned lyric, "Women with light skin, dark skin or everything in between -- it doesn't matter, we are soldiers we won't let them escape," would be replaced with phrases such as "All Turks are born soldiers."
Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Sahin visited Gen. Necdet Ozelm the chief of general staff, in November to request sexist march calls be discontinued on the grounds they promote violence against women.
Today's Zaman said other measures have been taken to reduce violence against women, such as requiring soldiers to attend courses on social equality, and addressing social problems such as honor killing and child marriage.
