IKV’s Trustee Organizations: 19 65 ISSUE:5 MARCH 2015 www.ikv.org.tr / contact: [email protected] GENDER (IN)EQUALITY IN TURKEY EU accession process has greatly contributed to accelerating the efforts to promote gender equality in Turkey. in the Turkish Grand National behind). According to GGGR, Assembly were established. Yet, female-to-male ratio of economic it is important to note that the participation and opportunity in replacement of the State Ministry Turkey is 0.43 compared to the for Women and Family Affairs with average level of all countries which the Ministry of Family and Social is 0.59. In other words, men are twice Policies were subject to severe more likely to be able to participate criticism and is considered a step- in the labour force than women back in promoting gender equality in Turkey. The figures for political due to removal of “women” from empowerment of women in Turkey the title of the Ministry. represent a more pessimistic picture: female-to-male ratio of political Gender (In) Equality in empowerment in Turkey is 0.08 Turkey: What Do the Figures compared to the average value of Say? 0.214. Although Turkey initiated Considering the steps taken comprehensive policies for by Turkey within the framework promoting gender equality in of EU accession process, these the early days of the Republic figures represent a big controversy and maintained its efforts during between the legal and institutional (CEDAW) which is the most the EU accession process, Turkey developments with regards to ender equality is (and comprehensive legal regulation at finds itself well below many gender equality in Turkey. The major G has always been) a key international level. Furthermore, countries on global rankings. In reason for such a gap between the issue in Turkey. In fact, Turkey Legal and Institutional with the aim of harmonising fact, when gender equality in policies and practices is likely to is one of the countries where Developments for Promoting Turkish legislation on gender Turkey is compared to those of EU stem from limited implementation the first legal acts regarding Gender Equality equality with the EU acquis, Member States, Turkey ranks as the of the regulations due to dominant equality between men and Considering the fact that Turkey has introduced a series of country representing the highest social norms and practices in Turkey. women date back to the 1920s. women in some of the oldest (i.e., amendments in the Constitution, gender inequality. According to Such norms and practices which In 1925, a political party for France, Italy) and relatively newest the Turkish Civil Code, Labour Law 2014 Global Inequality Index of are already deeply-rooted in the women’ rights (Women’s People (i.e. Slovenia, Malta, Bulgaria and and the Penal Code which are United Nations which is one of society are also supported by high- Party – Kadınlar Halk Fırkası) Romania) EU Member States the main legislation regulating the widely-used indices of gender level political figures which impede was established with the aim gained the right to vote and to gender policy throughout the equality, Turkey ranks 69th out of further development of gender to increase the participation be elected in the 1940s, Turkey 2000s. In addition to these legal 187 countries while the worst- equality in Turkey. As indicated in of women in politics. Five stands as one of the pioneering regulations, institutional changes performing EU Member State the 2014 Progress Report, Turkey years later, Turkish women countries for providing gender also have been brought to Bulgaria ranks as the 58th. does not fulfil the economic and were granted the right to vote equality in Europe. EU accession realize the goals of eliminating Furthermore, in 2014 Global political criteria for maintaining the in municipal elections. On 5 process has been the main discrimination against women Gender Gap Report (GGGR) equality between men and women December 1934, they were contributor for accelerating these in line with CEDAW standards. To published by the World Economic and should increase efforts to foster granted full suffrage and in the efforts. In 1985, Turkey signed that end, the General Directorate Forum, Turkey ranks 125th out women participation in labour first elections women obtained and ratified the Convention on of Women’s Status, Ministry of of 142 countries (only leaving market, policy making and decision- 18 seats in the Parliament (4.6% the Elimination of All Forms of Family and Social Policies and countries such as Algeria, Ethiopia, making in the public sector for of total seats). Discrimination against Women Equal Opportunities Commission Oman, Egypt and Saudi Arabia further alignment with EU standards. IKV DELEGATION’S VISIT TO BRUSSELS IKV Delegation, Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, Deputy Secretary-General and Research Director Melih Özsöz and Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray held meetings in Brussels with representatives of EU institutions. n February, IKV Delegation Claude Juncker’s spokesperson pursued their meetings in Imet with Commissioner for Margaritis Schinas; High Brussels in March and met with European Neighbourhood Representative for Foreign Affairs Head of Turkey Cabinet of High Policy and Enlargement and Security Federica Mogherini’s Representative of the Union Negotiations Johannes Hahn’s Chef de Cabinet and former for Foreign Affairs and Security Head of Cabinet Michael Head of EU Delegation in Turkey Policy Anna Vezyroglou and Karnitschnig and Cabinet Stefano Manservisi and Turkey’s European Policy Centre’s (EPC) Member Christine Grau; Permanent Representative to the Researcher Amanda Paul. Commission President Jean- EU Selim Yenel. IKV delegation PAGE 2 ISSUE:5 MARCH 2015 19 65 19 65 IKV DELEGATION’S VISIT TO BRUSSELS IKV CHAIRMAN FROM THE FIRST PAGE uring these meetings, IKV Ddelegation has exchanged AT ULUDAĞ views regarding the latest developments in Turkey-EU relations, the accession process, ECONOMY SUMMIT the visa liberalisation, the possible revision of the Customs Union and the eighth round of the TTIP IKV and DEIK Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan negotiations between the EU and attended the 4th Uludağ Economy Summit the US. General elections that will take place in Turkey in June, in Bursa on 13-14 March 2015. the Internal Security Package and the Readmission Agreement t the summit, economic number of countries in the world. between Turkey and the EU were Agrowth, innovation, education Chairman Vardan pointed out that also among the topics addressed and the role of women in the while the opportunities presented by during these meetings. labour market were the main topics Africa were emphasized nowadays, During their visits, IKV discussed by key political figures Africa was considered as a “hopeless Delegation gave detailed and representatives of the business continent” 13 years ago. Chairman Africa through their investments, China, India and Brazil wishing to information to EU representatives community from Turkey and abroad. Vardan mentioned that a similar goods produced and services become more active players in the about IKV and its activities. Giving a speech at the panel “Africa: attitude towards Africa was also offered. Underlining the importance region. Furthermore, it has been Furthermore, the delegation Window of Opportunity”, Chairman adopted by the Turkish bureaucracy of developing trade and investment also observed that countries such presented also the activities Vardan informed the participants and foreign delegations of Turkey partnerships, Chairman Vardan as the United Kingdom and France foreseen within the framework about the business opportunities in the 1990s; yet, the perception of emphasized that Turkey’s prestige increased their political and military of the 50th anniversary of the presented to Turkish private sector Africa is completely reversed at the and its private sector will increase engagements in Africa due to Foundation. Moreover, IKV in Africa. present time. in Africa. Chairman Vardan further security concerns while emerging Delegation had an opportunity Chairman Vardan underlined Chairman Vardan also underlined mentioned that Africa became the actors in the region act by taking to share some concrete ideas the importance of Africa not only that Turkish companies have seized centre of attraction in the 2000s more into account their economic regarding a revitalisation of for Turkey but also for a significant major business opportunities in especially for countries such as interests. Turkey’s EU negatition process. DIRECTOR THE SECOND MEETING OF REG WAS HELD IN ANKARA GENERAL RUETE The political reform process, the level of alignment with Chapter 23 and Chapter 24, the VISITS TURKEY mechanisms to fight gender based violence, the Internal Security Reform Package were the REGARDING VISA main topics addressed in the second REG meeting. LIBERALISATION right to property for citizens irector General for Migration and to eliminate administrative Dand Home Affairs at the bureaucracy has been prepared European Commission Matthias in line with EU and international Ruete visited Ankara on 23-24 standards. February 2015. The next steps REG aims to closely monitor on visa liberalisation dialogue, the dialogue with citizens the progress made by Turkey in belonging to different cultures fulfilling the visa liberalisation and faiths and the fulfillment roadmap and the implementation of the criteria of the Visa of the Turkey-EU Readmission Liberalisation Roadmap. During Agreement were the main topics the meeting, the