By 
Elisabedi Koridze
Gayatri Malhotra, October 4, 2021
Turkey’s ban on elective C-sections at private hospitals has triggered outrage, with critics accusing the government of violating women’s rights and medical freedom.
Türkiye has introduced a controversial new regulation banning elective Caesarean-section (C-section) births at private medical centres unless deemed medically necessary. The decision, which came into effect in April 2025, aims to reduce the country’s soaring C-section rate, which is the highest among OECD countries. According to the Turkish Health Ministry, 61 percent of births in Turkey in 2021 were C-sections, compared to the global average of 15 percent.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu defended the move, stating that natural childbirth is healthier and should be prioritised. He argued that C-sections should only be performed when there are clear medical risks to the mother or baby. “This is about protecting women’s health and reducing unnecessary interventions”, he said. The ban applies to private hospitals, where elective C-sections have become increasingly common, especially among wealthier families.
However, the decision has sparked widespread backlash from healthcare professionals, opposition politicians, and women’s rights activists.
Critics argue that the ban infringes on women’s bodily autonomy and their right to choose how they give birth. Many point out that decisions about childbirth should be made between a woman and her doctor, not dictated by government policy. “This is yet another example of the state trying to control women’s bodies”, said one protester in Istanbul.
The ban also ties into President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s broader agenda. Earlier this year, he declared 2025 the “Year of the Family”, urging Turkish families to have at least three children to combat falling fertility rates. Turkey’s birth rate dropped to a record low of 1.51 in 2023, fuelling government concerns about the country’s demographic future.
For many, the C-section ban reflects more profound issues around women’s rights and state interference in personal health decisions. As protests grow, it remains to be seen whether the government will adjust its stance or continue to push for stricter controls over reproductive health.
Sources and Further Readings:
Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centers
Health Minister defends C-section ban amid backlash against childbirth campaign
Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centers
Turkey bans elective C-sections at private clinics amid uproar
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