Controversial Presentation at Istanbul Chamber of Commerce: “100,000 Women and Girls Work in the Sex Sector”

A presentation delivered at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) has sparked internal controversy after claims were made that 100,000 women and girls are working in the “sex sector.” The figures, whose source was not disclosed, have drawn criticism from chamber members already uneasy over the institution’s recent direction and spending priorities.

The management of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) — widely regarded as the world’s largest chamber of commerce by membership — has recently faced criticism over several public statements and internal decisions.

İTO President Şekip Avdagiç had previously drawn backlash for suggesting restrictions on overseas spending and calling for measures to curb purchases from Chinese e-commerce platform Temu.

However, controversy has not been limited to public policy proposals. During recent internal meetings, particularly the 2026 budget discussions, members reportedly raised concerns about how billions of lira in revenue were being allocated. Spending on foundations, hospitality expenses, and overseas trips became points of contention among members facing mounting economic hardship.

Epstein Reference and “Lessons” for Türkiye

At a meeting held on February 12, İTO Assembly President Erhan Erken delivered a presentation referencing the global Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

According to participants, Erken opened his remarks by saying he had conducted research into what lessons could be drawn from the events and wanted to share his findings with members.

The presentation focused on “children and young girls” in Türkiye and included statistical data concerning what Erken described as “vulnerable groups” within the country’s approximately 22 million citizens under the age of 18.

Striking and Unverified Figures

Some of the figures presented included:

• Approximately 350,000 orphaned children

• 25,000 children under state protection

• 5,300 minors in prison

• 45,000 children reportedly living on the streets

• 720,000 officially registered working children

• An estimated 3 million working children under a broader definition

• 100,000 women and girls in the “sex sector”

It was the final figure — 100,000 women and girls — that generated the strongest reaction.

A note in the presentation reportedly clarified that the 100,000 figure was provided for comparison with the total child population and that not all individuals included were under 18. It stated that the number represented the overall female population in the sector, not exclusively minors.

Member Reactions

Several members questioned why prostitution-related data were included in a presentation ostensibly focused on children. Others asked what was meant by the distinction between “women and girls” in the data.

The use of the phrase “sex sector” by the world’s largest chamber of commerce also drew criticism, with some members expressing discomfort over the terminology and its relevance to the chamber’s mission.

Additionally, questions were raised about the source of the statistics presented. Official, reliable data on children in vulnerable conditions are often difficult to access, making the origin and methodology behind the figures a matter of concern.

With nearly 800,000 registered businesses under its umbrella, İTO’s leadership now faces scrutiny not only over policy positions but also over the tone and content of its internal discourse.

The reported figure of 100,000 women and girls remains particularly contentious, both for its magnitude and for the lack of publicly cited sourcing.