Turkey's former family minister: People focus on the legs of women volleyball players

Turkey's former minister of family and social policy posted on Twitter an image of the women's national volleyball team with the legs of players blurred, and in response to criticism said, "They are all focusing on the legs of girls. I am, however, concerned with the performance of the girls."

Aysen Gurcan, former minister and currently deputy for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), posted an image of the national team on Sunday to celebrate the team that recently qualified for 2023 Paris Olympics after winning seven games in a row.

Her post sparked reactions as the legs of the women players in the image were carefully blurred and obscured from sight with an apparent intention of censorship.

AK Parti Eskişehir Milletvekili Ayşen Gürcan: "Onlar kızların bacaklarına bakıyor. Ben kızlarımın oyununa, skoruna bakıyorum. Onlarla gurur duyuyorum." @ProfDrAGurcan pic.twitter.com/18YSz66zvn

— Eskişehir Haber (@Eskisehirhbr) September 26, 2023

She responded to criticizing comments on Tuesday, saying in a video:

"They are all focusing on the legs of girls. I am, however, concerned with the performance of the girls and the game results instead. I am proud of them."