Erdogan has made the controversial comments at a women's conference in Istanbul.

 

"Equality is about the oppressed becoming the oppressor by force, or the reverse. What women need is not equality, but the equivalent - in the other words, justice. This is what we need. You cannot put women and men on an equal footing. It is against nature. They were created differently. Their nature is different. Their constitution is different."

 

In making the comments, Erdogan says feminists¹ do not understand the special status that Islam attributes to mothers, suggesting mothers enjoy a high position that only they can reach.

 

Political observers are suggesting the comments are meant to appeal to his core supporters, but have also angered more liberal voters.

 

Erdogan, a devout² Muslim, has publically come out against abortion³ and birth by Caesarean section.

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