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Istanbul Convention

The Story

Turkey's made it harder to prosecute domestic violence.

Back up, please.

In 2011, Turkey signed the Istanbul Convention. The European treaty – ratified by 34 countries – called on governments to commit to ending violence against women, prosecuting those responsible, protecting the victims, and promoting women's equal rights. But that hasn't always happened. In Turkey, femicide (murdering of women and girls) has reportedly tripled in the past 10 years. At least 300 were killed last year. And by one tally, 77 women have been killed so far in 2021. The real numbers could be higher. And now there's concern things could get worse.

Why?

On Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan scratched Turkey off of the Istanbul Convention list. No reason was given. But it came after months of criticism from Turkish conservatives who said the treaty encouraged divorce and undermined traditional roles in families. And argued the agreement's measure on equal rights was promoting LGBTQ+ rights – something Turkey's cracked down on in recent years. Now, Erdoğan – whose popularity has slipped and who's up for reelection in 2023 – appears to be listening to his conservative base.

What are people saying?

Hundreds of Turkish women took to the streets in response, calling on the gov to stick with the treaty. The Council of Europe – which is responsible for the agreement – called Turkey's decision "devastating." And President Biden called it a step back for women everywhere. Turkey maintains that women are protected under the constitution.

theSkimm

This Women's History Month, violence against women in the US, the UK, and around the world has made headlines. Now, Turkey's removing itself from an agreement that should protect women – at a time when violence against women there is on the rise.

And Also...This

What's got people calling for change…

Anti-Asian attacks. On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered across the country, rallying against hate. Last week, a gunman killed eight people at three spas in or near Atlanta, Georgia. Six of the victims were Asian women. A 21-year-old white man has been charged with eight counts of murder. But the heinous attacks came as major cities across the country saw a rise (nearly 150%) in anti-Asian hate crimes last year. And many people are calling for the attacks to be labeled a hate crime. Now, Americans from California to New York have been amplifying calls for change, protesting with signs like "Stop Asian Hate."

• Remembering the victims: On Friday, authorities identified more of the victims. We remember Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Paul Andre Michels, Daoyou Feng, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, and Yong Ae Yue. RIP.

What's saying 'read the stats'...

This report. Over the weekend, The New York Times published a report that looked into how police handled the Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Spoiler: It wasn't good. Last summer, hundreds of thousands of Americans protested against police brutality and systemic racism. Officers responded with tear gas, pepper spray, batons, and rubber bullets. Thousands were arrested and at least six were killed. Now, the report – a review of reports by watchdogs, consultants, and independent investigators in several major cities – says most officers hadn't been adequately trained to police the protests. That they responded too aggressively (with militarized tactics). That they were unprepared. And that they faced problems when it came to planning, logistics, and leadership.

• What can be done: The report recommended that police work with community organizers and civil rights attorneys. And improve training and supervision over things like tear gas.

What's got vaccine updates…

AstraZeneca. Today, the company released findings in a US-based clinical trial, showing its vaccine is 79% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19. And said it showed 100% efficacy at preventing severe disease and hospitalization. The AstraZeneca vaccine hasn't been approved for emergency use in the US. And several countries have temporarily suspended its use following 37 reported blood clots. European regulators and the World Health Organization have maintained the vaccine is safe. Now, AstraZeneca's saying its latest trial showed no safety concerns.

• Up next: AstraZeneca said it'll continue to review the new data. Then, it'll apply for emergency authorization in the US in the coming weeks.

What's not singing 'bienvenidos a Miami'...

Miami Beach. On Saturday, city officials declared a state of emergency in its entertainment district amid a large surge in tourism. Miami Beach has been flooded by spring breakers who are trying to soak up some sun. The Sunshine State is quite the appeal since coronavirus restrictions are practically nonexistent and there are a lot of cheap flights. But the influx of visitors has led to massive crowds with many not wearing masks or social distancing. And the spring breakers' 'anything goes' mentality has led to dozens of arrests. In response, the city implemented an 8pm curfew until at least April 11. And officials are saying it all became more than they could "handle."

...Oh and speaking of crowd control, organizers have banned foreign spectators from the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Who's always up for a challenge…

Former President Barack Obama. We asked him to Skimm his book, "A Promised Land," in 60 seconds. And spoke to him about his journey to the White House, what campaign life was like on the road, and how he balances politics and family.

What your significant other will be begging you to watch…

"Zack Snyder's Justice League."

A Spring (Re)Start

April showers. May flowers. Socially-distant activities in the sunshine. Spring 2021 is here. So we teamed up with QVC to suggest some products that can help you look and feel your best in case IRL interactions are in your (warmer) future. Prep with...

An ELEMIS Hydration Kit ($72). This facial wash, oil, and cream trio helps smooth and hydrate dry skin. And it's on serious sale right now.

This Supersmile Teeth Whitening Kit ($48.50). An easy-to-use system that gently lifts stains, removes plaque, and helps prevent cavities? Sign us up.

St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse Duo ($49.96). Get glowy. Not orange-y. This lightweight mousse smells like a slice of watermelon and moisturizes while adding natural-looking color. Oh, and it comes with mitts so you can't mess up the application.

Pro tip: Nickname your savings. It'll help you build an emotional connection to your money goals. And motivate you to make real progress. We've got more where that came from thanks to SkimmU, presented by Fidelity. It's our newest virtual event series designed to teach you the crucial life lessons your alma mater never did. Join us this Thursday at 8:00pm ET for our first course: Psychology of Money with The Finance Bar's Marsha Barnes. It'll give you the info you need to understand how (and why) we make money decisions. Sign up here. See you in class.

PS: Attend any SkimmU course for an exclusive invite to commencement. Join our co-founders and co-CEOs plus a buzzworthy guest speaker on a live recording of our podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch." Stay tuned for more info.

1. Genius tools that'll save you time in the kitchen. Because quarantine turned you into the sous chef, the server, and the cleanup crew. Here's a lid that'll prevent microwave sauce explosions, some soap that'll get the garlic smell off your fingers, and more.

2. A mascara and highlighter set that'll help you keep your late-night scrolling a secret. Only Skimm'rs get $8 off this duo, which will brighten your eyes and make your lashes look as long as extensions. Two best-selling products for one special price? Pretty eye-deal.*

3. A webcam cover for a bit of added privacy. If you get nervous every time you enter a Zoom meeting, this cover is for you. Slide it over when you're ready for your big debut.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...

1. A credit card that won't charge any interest until late 2022. And yes, that counts for new purchases and balance transfers. There's also no (read: zero) annual fee and no penalty interest rate. See if it's right for you.*

2. 14 women-owned brands to discover now (and then shop forever). We've got leggings with pockets, a manicure kit, and a body butter that smells amazing. Brb, adding to cart.

3. Bras that aren't like those other bras. Hear us out. This female-founded company believes style and comfort aren't mutually exclusive. Their super-supportive, IG-famous bras are so comfy you just might forget you're wearing them. PS: Skimm'rs get 15% off their first purchase.*

4. Our ultimate guide to cleaning your bathroom. Your least favorite household chore just got a bit easier. Get to work with an electric scrubbing brush, a mold and mildew remover, and a pumice stone. Sleeves = rolled.

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Breaking a leg...Katie T (CA). She started Turnkey Theatre, an online theatre company that specializes in original, interactive audio plays. Audiences receive a box with curated items to interact with while listening to the plays.

Best dog mom...Jyothi S (CA). Although she's been fostering dogs for about two years now, she kicked it into overdrive during COVID-19 when the shelter closed to the public. She's fostered more than a dozen dogs in the last 10 months and helps them find their fur-ever homes.

(Some) Birthdays...Michelle Peleg (CA), Dan Allen (NY), Monica Cincotta (NY), Joyce Ann Funk (ID), Saundra Heard (MD), Estefania Espinosa (TX), Debbie Rivero (FL), Natalia Lepore Hagan (NY), Kendal Richer (OH), Natalie Djerf (NY), Ashlee Gadd (CA), Stefanie Becker (AZ), Emily Grossman (CA), Kathy Baumgart (WI), Sylvia Rendon (TX), Melinda Johnson (AZ)

PS…we've also got a video wall to shout out a woman in your life who's making an impact on you. Check it out.

Relocated during the pandemic? Our guide breaks down how that might impact your taxes.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…

• Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.

• Tune in to our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume.

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• Sign up for our "Press Pause" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs.

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• Download our app to get it all in one place.

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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain

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