Erdogan tells women at justice forum that they aren't equal to men

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday declared that women are not equal to men and launched a bitter attack against feminists in Turkey, claiming that they reject the concept of motherhood.

Speaking at a summit in Istanbul on justice for women, the devoutly Muslim president said that biological differences between women and men meant they could not serve the same functions in life.

"Our religion has defined a position for women: motherhood," Erdogan told an audience of women including his own daughter, Sumeyye.

"Some people can understand this, while others can't. You cannot explain this to feminists because they don't accept the concept of motherhood."

He went on to say that women and men cannot be treated equally "because it is against human nature".

"Their characters, habits and physiques are different. You cannot place a mother breastfeeding her baby on an equal footing with men.