Celebrities post black and white photos to voice solidarity with femicide victims in Turkey

Duvar English

Dozens of celebrities all over the world have posted black and white pictures of themselves to voice solidarity with victims of femicides in Turkey.

The celebrities, including Ellie Goulding, Christina Aguilera, Milla Jovovich, Cobie Smulders, Eva Green, Florence Pugh, Halsey, Jessica Biel, Olivia Wilde, Emmy Rossum, Evan Rachel Wood, Sophia Bush, Demi Moore, Vanessa Hudgens, AnnaSophia Robb, Salma Hayek and Demi Lovato, shared pictures of themselves either in their stories or timelines, while also pointing to violence against women and femicides in Turkey.

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It took me a sec to catch up and learn what this is really all about. To put it simply - it’s a global reminder for women to support women... especially those whose voices are not being heard (here, and around the world). To the women in Turkey, we stand with you and hear you. And for the women here in the US — this is a reminder that we need to use our voices to protect each other... and vote on the issues that affect women. With the election coming up, it’s more important now than ever. Text VOTER to 26797 to check your registration and request a mail-in ballot so you can vote safely ?? More on stories and in my bio. #CHALLENGEACCEPTED @karayoshimotobua @beverleymitchell ❤️

A post shared by Jessica Biel (@jessicabiel) on Jul 28, 2020 at 12:08pm PDT

The trend began after women in Turkey said that they don't want to see their pictures in black and white in newspapers after they are killed.

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Challenge accepted? Many of us are seeing our feeds full of women we love, in B&W, nominated because of their support for each other. Which is beautiful. But it’s also important to acknowledge that the hashtag took off and wound up overtaking a very important digital protest. • Beginning recently in Turkey, the black & white photo posts originated as a show of defiance in support of Turkish women, & specifically #PinarGültekin who was brutally murdered there. Turkey has one of the highest global rates of #femicide, with more than 500 murders of women recorded in 2019, & many more that went unreported. Turkey is attempting to abolish certain aspects of the Istanbul Convention, which are meant to protect women from domestic violence. This reprehensible action would quite literally make murdering women easier. Women in Turkey are protesting the lack of action or punishment for these murders by their government. They are protesting because every day they wake up to see black & white photos of women who’ve been murdered on the news. The instagram action was intended to show the Turkish government that all women know it could be them, their picture on the news, next. • While the women educating the internet around this know there’s no ill will in the whole “tag women who inspire you” thing that’s trending, it’s important to acknowledge the mission of the trend’s inception. And so in THAT spirit, I’ll say #challengeaccepted for #BreonnaTaylor. She was murdered. In her bed. By the police. 200 days ago. And not one of those men has been arrested for killing her. Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly, & Myles Cosgrove need to be arrested & charged. I “challenge” state attorney general @danieljaycameron to pursue justice in this case. There is no justice until her killers are arrested. There is no justice until we end qualified immunity. There is no truth to the promises of police reform until there is accountability for murdering the citizens you are tasked to serve and protect. There is no freedom until all of us are free. For Breonna, and for our sisters in Turkey, I chant again today “NO JUSTICE NO PEACE!” #justiceforbreonnataylor #blacklivesmatter #Turkey

A post shared by Sophia Bush (@sophiabush) on Jul 28, 2020 at 3:25pm PDT

Most of the celebrities were seen to be sharing information on the Istanbul Convention, which aims to combat violence against women, and how the Turkish government aims to withdraw from the convention despite the increasing number of femicides.

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#ChallengeAccepted. Upon learning the origin of this trend, let’s stand together and put an end to violence against women everywhere ❤️ #istanbulsözleşmesiyaşatır #womensupportingwomen (thanks for tagging me @liliana.rutler)

A post shared by Christina Aguilera (@xtina) on Jul 28, 2020 at 3:43pm PDT

They also shared information on the murder of Pınar Gültekin, whose death prompted outrage in Turkey on July 21.

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THIS ! #Repost @annasophiarobb ・・・ I learned this morning, that this “challenge” originally began in Turkey, to highlight violence against women. The black & white photos serve as a reminder & action of solidarity with the women killed, as their photos appear in black & white in the newspapers. I love shouting out and supporting our sisters & seeing the beautiful faces of people I love in my feed. Let’s continue to support & protect each other Also, I want to make sure the original message is amplified. Lives are on the line. Please learn about the #instanbulconvention donate to women’s shelters, follow @auturkishculturalclub & continue to protect & stand with our PIBOC womxn here in the US. #Repost @auturkishculturalclub ・・・ The gruesome murder of #pınargültekin is spawning a movement against Femicides in Turkey. Take action with us now. Please Share! #eminebulut #gülistandokunerede ———————- UPDATE: By Turkish Women, we mean TURKISH WOMXN, TURKISH WOMEN, WOMEN IN TURKEY, WOMXN IN TURKEY & honor/celebrate ALL different communities in Turkey that are also at risk at this time. We have outlined many of these groups before & will continue to accept edits from groups we have missed. With that in mind, we ask for patience & logic as we work to make this better. For example, our inclusion of Kurdish women is not an attempt to erase the legacy of Armenian/Assyrian/Arab/All Aramaic women. Please continue to hold us to do better while understanding we are literally 2 people dealing with 100,000+ notifications, most of which are spam. Please refer to our Stories & first Story Highlight for the most up-to-date clarification & info as Post Content on IG cannot be edited. #challengeaccepted

A post shared by Arianne Phillips (@ariannephillips) on Jul 28, 2020 at 11:20am PDT

Gültekin, who was killed by Cemal Metin Avcı, is the latest woman to be murdered by men in Turkey. Femicides are a grave problem in the country, where women get killed or beaten every single day.

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I have never understood femicide or the hatred towards women. I have discovered that the exploration of my feminine energy and the coming together of women has strengthened my soul. I believe that the respect for women, and the surrender to the mystery of our power can strengthen the world. I’m so grateful to all of you who have been part of this unity. I support the women in Turkey that started this movement against femicide and I am grateful for you for inspiring this unity. Thank you ? @sofisia7 I accept your challenge #kadınaşiddetehayır #istanbulsözleşmesiyaşatır Me es muy difícil entender el femicidio y el odio hacia las mujeres. He descubierto qué la exploración de mi energía femenina y la unión de las mujeres han fortalecido mi alma. Creo que el respeto al las mujeres y el rendimiento ante el misterio de nuestro poder, fortalecerá al mundo. Apollo a las mujeres de Turquía que empezaron este movimiento y estoy muy agradecida a todas ustedes que han sido parte de esta unión. Gracias ?

A post shared by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek) on Jul 29, 2020 at 11:37am PDT

Data shared by We Will Stop Femicides Platform reveals the extent of the problem, with at least 146 women killed in the first six months of 2020, 474 in 2019, 440 in 2018, 409 in 2017, 328 in 2016, 303 in 2015, 294 in 2014 and 237 in 2013.

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UPDATE: I recently learned that this challenge originated in Turkey to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of women killed. Their photos would appear in newspapers in black and white. I’ve shared more in stories, and you can learn more at @auturkishculturalclub. Let’s all continue educating, supporting, and uplifting each other! #challengeaccepted! Love to see #womensupportingwomen ?? Thank you for nominating me @melaniegriffith @lisarinna @heather_parry @donnakaranthewoman @joannegair @ariannephillips @jbird520 @gucciwestman @amandadecadenet

A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore) on Jul 27, 2020 at 9:09am PDT

While women continue to get killed on a daily basis, the sentences given to men are far from being deterrent.

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Turkish women wake up everyday to a black and white photo of a woman who has been murdered. The government and justice system is doing nothing to stop these crimes. Just this week several women have been murdered. In 2019 they had almost 500 women murdered and who know how many unrecorded. Get the word out. The black and white challenge is to lift up and support Turkish women. Stand in solidarity with Turkish women. Get the word out❤️?? thanks for the nom @katiegreenthal @laurajaynenew @ashleytisdale @nataliesaidi @lisarinna and @camillawithlove #womanempowerment #womensupportingwomen #justiceforallwomen

A post shared by ?Vanessa Hudgens? (@vanessahudgens) on Jul 27, 2020 at 5:27am PDT

Women's rights groups say that the increasing violence against women cases stem from the government's policies of protecting men.

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Challenge accepted. #istanbulconventionsaveslives #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen - I’ve been told that the true meaning of this hashtag and this b&w photo- ‘It is to shed light onto the Istanbul Convention, women are being subjected to violence and this convention is to end forgiveness for the attacker/murderers.’ With that in mind, adjust your hashtags if you didn’t already do so. Thank you @jessicaroseweiss, @bellathorne and @edibow for inviting me. Let’s ride gals. Post your b&w in support of this movement, these women need the world to hear.

A post shared by Florence Pugh (@florencepugh) on Jul 27, 2020 at 2:25pm PDT

The most recent example to it is the government's willingness to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.

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We are linked. Oppression of women anywhere is oppression of women everywhere. I have learned how this challenge originated and want to express my complete support for the women in Turkey who are fighting for their lives. We see you. Challenge accepted, @ariannephillips ? #womensupportingwomen #instanbulconventionsaveslives

A post shared by Olivia Wilde (@oliviawilde) on Jul 26, 2020 at 9:59pm PDT

"#Challengeaccepted," "#womensupportingwomen" and "#IstanbulConventionsaveslives" are among the hashtags used by the celebrities.

Turkey mourns killing of Pınar Gültekin by ex-boyfriend, as femicide toll continues to increase

Report prepared to urge Erdoğan to withdraw from Istanbul Convention includes archaic remarks on gender