The number of women murdered over a period of seven years shot up 1,400 percent according to the ministry. In 2002, 66 women were murdered, but by 2009 this number shot up to 950. Growing up in rural Turkey, Saniye, explained living with the threat of murder was normal. After her father died, her brothers’ behavior became violent towards her. However, luckily Saniye escaped and is now happily married although she still bears the mental scars from the abuse she suffered as a young woman. Experts say the reason for this increase is an imbalance of power within the family... Women's Rights lawyers say the government has passed legal reforms to protect women, but complain that the changes are not implemented. Women's participation in political life in Turkey is low with representation in parliament at 7 percent. International research shows that unless women's participation in parliament reaches a critical level of 30 percent, gender inequality will remain a huge challenge for countries worldwide.