be careful what you know

I've been in Istanbul several times. I have enjoyed it each and every time. I love the airport because it has tons of shops both inside and outside. They usually have many people on the immigration line so you don't have to wait very long. I love the city too. I've never felt any problem in going out and wandering around on my own. I think I've already mentioned that other than researching what exactly there is to see and do in a place, I don't do a lot of "ahead" reading. I truly like to get the "first impression" of a place and of an item or of a museum or memorial or whatever. I read up when I get home as things make more sense to me then and I can relate because I have seen it for myself and have a "feel". I've always been a visual person, which also explains why I have a hard time learning languages - beside the constant ringing of the ears.
Anyway, I picked up a newspaper on my visit into Istanbul this time and even though I have been there many times, I was a tad bit or somewhat affected by one of the lead stories. The story claimed that Turkey has slipped in its "narrowing of the gender gap" As I was reading it, the article stated that at one point Turkey had been 102nd out of 164 countries in their treatment of women: equility in the work place, equility in voting, in goverment, in social conditions, in economic conditions. This article states that now Turkey is 159th out of 164 with only Saudi Arabia, Yemin and 3 others (sorry, forget which three) being worse in their treatment of women. Wow. what a slip up. I see women working everywhere and they all look fine, for the most part, and happy in their jobs, or as happy as anyone could be when they are working. But after reading this, I had to question myself in my perceptions. What are they going through? What is they day like if they know they will not have a chance at a better job or more money? And I was a little shook to think that I stroll through the streets without a care in the world other than to get a good bargain when should anything happen, will my own citizenship protect me even as a woman? It really does give one pause and now I am in another Muslim country and I find myself thinking I'll not go out tonight but I'll just wait until daylight. hmmm. maybe I am just getting older and don't feel like making the effort or maybe?????