ANKARA, July 10 (Reuters) - Turkey must do more to combat violence against women as part of its bid to join the European Union, the European Commission's representative in Ankara said on Monday.

Some 58 percent of women in Turkey's less developed southeast say they have experienced violence within their families, according to a study by the Diyarbakir Women's Education and Counselling Centre.

In a recent example, a 16-year-old girl was shot and killed by her brother in the southeastern city of Gaziantep earlier this month because he suspected she was pregnant and he believed she had dishonoured the family.

"It is worrying that violence against women is sometimes considered as a normal social phenomenon by both men and women," European Commission envoy Hans-Joerg Kretschmer told a seminar on the subject.

Last year Turkey attempted to curb "honour killings" by changing its penal code to stop judges from considering honour a mitigating factor and granting lighter sentences.

"Ensuring the equality of women and therefore eradicating violence against women is a major challenge for Turkey. The government and administration must show a clear vision, a commitment to achieve progress," Kretschmer said.

Turkey began accession talks with the EU last October but the negotiations are expected to last a decade at least. The EU has repeatedly taken Turkey to task over human rights.

Kretschmer also called on non-government organisations to join a 1.5 million euro ($1.9 million) EU programme to halt violence against women.

 

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