Free Pad Campaign for Women Prisoners

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Women in Prison Network has launched a campaign for women prisoners’ right to have free pad be taken under legal assurance.

Formed by the rights organizations, Women in Prison Network stated that the people who would like to join the campaign can send letters in which pads can be placed to the women prisoners.

Ezgi Duman from Civil Society Association in Penal System conveyed that with the declaration of State of Emergency, many women have been held in cells spared for women in men’s cells, and that when they cannot find pads at prison canteen they try to manage with products like cotton or diaper. Duman also expressed that this is not a hygienic method and women’s health is negatively affected.

Mürüvet Yılmaz from the Human Rights Association (İHD) stressed that pads are not free at prison canteens and there are many women prisoners who cannot afford it.

6.5% of the prisoner population in the world is women

144 out of every 100,000 people in the world are imprisoned. Approximately nine or 10 of these 144 people are women. So, 6.5% of the prisoner population in the world is constituted by women.

Between 2000-2013 women prisoner population increased by 40%, however, gender based needs of women prisoners are frequently neglected. (ÇT/TK)