Turkey: Private Media Giant Dismisses Contract Reporter Zeynep Irmak For Taking Maternity Leave
Location: Turkey, Samsun
Date: April 12, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Demirören News Agency (DHA) Samsun correspondent Zeynep Irmak Öcal was terminated after taking a maternity leave. Allegedly, the journalist went on maternity leave in December, and today her media magnate declared that she could not devote enough time to her profession based on her pregnancy. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) extends solidarity and support to those, who face gender discrimination. No journalist can be deprived of their fundamental rights and freedoms through these sexist treatments.
DHA Samsun correspondent Zeynep Irmak Öcal was fired from the newsroom she had been working for more than two years due to her “maternity”. According to T24, DHA Sinop Representative Deniz Özen claimed that the journalist was fired by DHA General Manager Celal Korkut. In the video, he posted on Twitter he said, the manager of the newsroom dismissed the journalist saying “You [Zeynep] are going to be a mother now, your child will get sick and you will have a maternity leave. You may also get sick, we can't deal with it. That's why we don't want to work with you anymore.” Deniz Özen denounced the dismissal of his colleague and announced his resignation by tearing up his official press ID.
Zeynep also took to her Twitter account on the matter and said, “I was fired today because I am a mother.” “Such irrational excuses as becoming a mother, having maternity leave, not being able to work actively were given as a reason,” she quoted.
Many press initiatives and unions also stated about the dismissal of the journalist. CFWIJ, Turkish Press, Broadcasting and Printer Workers’ Union (DİSK Basın-İş), the Women and LGBTI+ Commission of the Journalists' Union of Turkey, and Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD) one of those which revealed widespread condemnation.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism reiterates and extends solidarity with Zeynep Irmak Öcal. Women journalists continue to be exposed to many discriminations in the field or at work. We will continue to monitor the process closely by taking part in women's struggles. None of the women or LGBTI+ individuals can be terminated of their fundamental rights and freedoms because of their sexual identity or social status. These violations are completely against human rights.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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