Police in Turkey detain demonstrators seeking more protection for women against violence

ISTANBUL (AP) — Police detained dozens of people in Istanbul who tried to join a rally Monday calling for greater protection for women in Turkey, where more than 400 women have been murdered this year.

The demonstrators tried to enter the main pedestrian street, Istiklal, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in defiance of a ban on all protests in the area.

Earlier, police barricaded all entrances to Istiklal and to the city’s main square, Taksim, while authorities shut down several metro stations to prevent large gatherings.

Many demonstrators were protesting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision in 2021 that withdrew Turkey from a landmark European agreement known as the Istanbul Convention. The treaty, which aims to protect women from violence, was signed in Istanbul in 2011.

Erdogan’s decision came after some members of his Islamic-rooted ruling party accused the treaty of promoting LGBTQ+ rights and other ideals they said were incompatible with Turkey’s traditional family values.

On Monday, Erdogan dismissed calls for Turkey’s return to the convention and reiterated his government's commitment to protecting women.

The local advocacy group We Will Stop Femicide says 411 women have been murdered in Turkey in 2024.

Women chant slogans during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Women attend a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Women chant slogans during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Women surrounded by police during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Turkish police detains a woman during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

A women argues with a police officer during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Women attend a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Turkish police stand guard during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Women chant slogans during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Turkish police officers detain a woman during a protest marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, joining a list of major corporations that have been under pressure by conservative activists.

The company confirmed on Monday to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. That would include chest binders intended for youth who are going through a gender change, the company said.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer will also be reviewing grants to Pride events to make sure it is not financially supporting sexualized content targeting kids. For example, the company wants to makes sure a family pavilion is not next to a drag show at a Pride event, the company said.

Walmart will also no longer consider race and gender as a way to increase diversity when it offers supplier contracts. The company said it didn't have quotas and will not do so going forward. It will stop collecting demographic data when determining financing eligibility for those grants.

“We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone,” the company said in a statement.

Walmart confirmed the changes after conservative political commentator and anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck posted on X that he was in touch with the retailer about a story he was doing about “wokeness” and he said he ended up having "productive conversations” with Walmart.

"This is the biggest win yet for our movement to end wokeness in corporate America," wrote Starbuck, who has gone after companies including Deere & Co., Lowe's, Tractor Supply and Boeing.

FILE - A Walmart logo is displayed outside of a Walmart store, in Walpole, Mass., Sept. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)