GENDER Equality in Turkey

1. GENDER Equality in Turkey By Aslıhan TEKİN Head of Brussels Office, Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGİDER)

2. WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ASSOCIATION of TURKEY KAGIDER was established in 2002 with 37 women entrepreneurs. Today, we reached the total of 178 members. Our Vision: • To create a world where women are effective in all decision making processes by producing and expressing their ‘self’  freely. Our Mission: • To develop women entrepreneurship; to empower women in economic and social life.

3. KAGIDER’s International Associations KAGIDER is a member of: • World Women Entrepreneurs Association (FCEM) • European Women Lobby (EWL) • Mediterranean Business Women Association(AFAEMME) • Balkan Regional Coalition of Women Business Associations

4. KAGIDER’s Current Projects • Women’s Entrepreneurship&Leadership Center: KAGİDER aims to open a center which, where besides all above mentioned functions are fullfilled, is a networking place&meeting point for women entrepreuners, for NGO’S with its different facilities such as meeting rooms, conference hall etc. • International Women Entrepreneurs Summit: A three day long summit is planned in coordination with the USA in March 2009 where women entrepreneurs form the States meet Turkish ones, do networking, leaders as role models from all around the world will be keynote speakers and workshops, panels are held in parallel sessions.

5. EU/Foregin RelaitonsEU Relations • EU is the only way On 4th of March 2008, KAGIDER opened an office in Brussels. As an active women’s non governmental organization of Turkey, KAGIDER believes in the integration into the European Union. Our Brussels office is planned to contribute to the negotiation process and for the improvement of the closer relations with the EU Institutions.

6. TURKEY &Gender Equality • Gender equality has a long history in Turkey and especially in recent years the legislative framework has expanded. Numerous arrangements have been made; • in the Constitution, the Criminal Code, the Civil Code and the Labour Act, the Prime Ministry Circular No. 2006/17 on combating violence against women have been important steps forward and created commitment at the highest level.

7. TURKEY – International Agreements The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), The European Social Charter, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, The International Labour Organisation (ILO), The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), The Cairo Conference on World Population and Development Action Plan, The 4th World Conference on Women Action Plan and the Beijing Declaration, The EU directives on equality between women and men.

10. Women in the EU and Turkey • Women employment in EU is 57,2 and in Turkey it is 24.6 The Lisbon criteria to 60% among EU countries by 2010 or among countries seeking EU membership. • Price gap between the genders in EU is 15 and in Turkey it is 22 • The women entrepreneur ratio in EU is 28 and in Turkey it is 12.5 • The women professor ratio in EU is 15 and in Turkey it is 27 • Women ratio in the fields of science and engineering in EU is 29 and in Turkey the ratio of women graduates of technical departments between the years of 2006 and 2007 is 24.8 • The ratio of women senior managers of companies in EU is 33 and in Turkey it is 6 • Representation of women in EU; in the EU parliament it is 30.3; in member countries’ national parliaments it is 23 and in Turkey the women representation in the parliament is 9.1.

11. Women & Politics

12. Suggestions to the floor • The education of women, especially in rural areas, is essential to improve their possibilities to participate in the labour market and to take part in local administrations as well as local initiatives. •  There is the need for mechanisms that aim to change existing stereotypes. A broad debate on this theme must be launched urgently and be promoted by the public authorities, social partners, women's organisations as well as other civil society organisations and the media. •  We need for a comprehensive women's employment policy in Turkey and the elaboration of a National Employment Strategy based on cooperation with the social partners and other relevant civil society organisations, in particular women's organisations. In this context it should be recommended that the establishment of an infrastructure for childcare, elderly and disabled care services. •  There is the need for incentives for women to create viable enterprises. They must be provided with vocational knowledge and guidance, consultancy services as well as entrepreneurship and management training. •  The media have a great outreach and can affect great masses within a short period of time. Media have a big influence on society’s behavioural patterns, values and norms.

13. Concluding Remarks • Turkish accession to the EU would prove our ability to overcome divisions of any kind and build a political and economic union based on diversity and on common values such as peace, democracy, social justice, gender equality and respect for human rights. • We should give the emphasis to the crucial role that women can play in the accession process. Gender inequalities certainly are not only specific to Turkey, but are also present in the EU Member States. • This is the reason why we must constantly rethink together policies where women's roles are often neglected and also further develop policies to address the problems. I am sure that Turkish women and NGOs can decisively contribute to this endeavour.

14. Thank you www.kagider.org