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Turkey's 'Normal Birth' Campaign Ignites Controversy After Football Club Display

A government-backed initiative promoting "normal birth" over Caesarean sections in Turkey has sparked a heated national debate. The debate intensified after a professional football team displayed a promotional placard before a significant match. The incident has drawn criticism from women's rights advocates and opposition figures, who question the state's role in personal healthcare decisions. At the same time, the government defends the campaign as a health-focused measure.

The controversy gained widespread attention when players from the Süper Lig club Sivasspor walked onto the pitch before their match against Galatasaray holding a banner that read: "Normal birth is healthy, the cesarean section should not be performed unless necessary." The placard also referenced the Ministry of Health's "Gebe Okulu" (Pregnancy School) initiative.

This public display, linked to a broader push by Turkey's conservative government, immediately drew backlash online and from various groups. Critics argue that the campaign, particularly its promotion via a football match, represents undue pressure on expectant mothers and interferes with their bodily autonomy and right to make informed medical choices with their doctors. Concerns were raised that it oversimplifies complex medical decisions and could potentially stigmatize women who require or choose C-sections for valid reasons.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan staunchly defended the initiative and the placard. Speaking to journalists, he questioned the source of the discomfort, asking, "Why does promoting normal birth disturb you [the critics] so much?" He framed the campaign as essential health advice aimed at encouraging natural methods unless a C-section is medically indicated, positioning it as a beneficial public health message rather than an imposition.

The Ministry of Health also issued a statement clarifying its position. While confirming its support for normal birth as the preferred physiological process when medically appropriate, the Ministry emphasized that it "does not provide direction or imposition" on birth methods. It stated that the "Pregnancy Schools" aim to provide comprehensive information to expectant mothers, empowering them to understand different birth options, including the risks and benefits of both vaginal delivery and C-sections, ultimately supporting informed decision-making between the patient and physician.

Adding another layer to the incident, Sivasspor's Albanian striker, Rey Manaj, one of the players who carried the placard, issued a public apology to women following the match. Manaj stated he was unaware of the placard's specific message before carrying it onto the field. "I didn't know what was written on the placard," he explained, adding unequivocally, "Your body, your decision. I apologize." His apology highlighted potential communication issues within the club regarding the promotion and underscored the topic's sensitivity.

The debate touches upon broader discussions in Turkey regarding women's rights, reproductive health, and the influence of the government's conservative ideology on social and personal matters. While proponents argue the campaign addresses potentially high C-section rates and promotes a healthier, natural process, opponents see it as governmental overreach into deeply personal choices, potentially compromising patient safety and autonomy under the guise of public health promotion. The incident ensures that the discussion around birth choices and women's healthcare rights will remain a prominent topic in Turkish public discourse.

Photo: BBC Turkish

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