New Rule Announced by Health Ministry
On April 19, 2025, Turkey’s Health Ministry announced a new rule banning elective Caesarean-section (C-section) births at private medical centers, clinics, and practices. This means women in Turkey can no longer choose to have a C-section at private hospitals unless it is medically necessary. The rule is part of a wider government effort to encourage more “vaginal births” and support what officials describe as “traditional values.”
Declining Birth Rates Raise Government Concern
This move comes at a time when Turkey is facing a falling fertility rate. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has often spoken about the need for Turkish families to have more children. He recently declared 2025 as the “Year of the Family,” warning that “Turkey’s declining population is a threat much more significant than war.” The government sees boosting the birth rate as a national priority.
Public Campaigns to Support the Ban
To promote the new policy, the government launched a public campaign. In one high-profile event, players from the Sivasspor football team carried a banner before a Süper Lig match that read, “Doğal doğum doğaldır,” which means “Normal birth is natural” in Turkish. Similar campaigns are expected to appear across television, social media, and public spaces.
Critics Say It Violates Women’s Rights
While the government claims the ban is for public health reasons, many critics argue that it limits women’s reproductive freedom. Experts and human rights groups say that the decision about how to give birth should be made by the patient together with her doctor, not by the state. They warn that restricting choices could lead to serious health risks for mothers and babies.
Medical professionals stress that while vaginal births are often safe, C-sections can be a necessary and life-saving option for some women. Limiting access to elective C-sections could put women’s lives at risk if they are not given the full range of medical options. Many see the ban as part of a larger political strategy to control women’s bodies in the name of national interest.
