This Shadow Report aims to draw attention to the discrimination women in Turkey face, within the framework of 6th Periodic Review for Turkey under Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Prepared by the Women’s Platform on the Turkish Penal Code and the Executive Committee for NGO Forum on CEDAW – Turkey, the report has been endorsed by six women’s NGO platforms.
According to the report, since Turkey’s previous periodic review by CEDAW in 2005, little progress has been made toward eliminating the discrimination against women in Turkey. Furthermore, the political will displayed by the state to establish comprehensive gender equality has been inadequate. While some positive steps have been taken, largely as a result of concerted advocacy efforts by the women’s movement, these developments have not been reflected in implementation. Progress achieved includes the establishment of a parliamentary commission on gender equal opportunity; addition of temporary special measures in the Constitution Amendment Package; and social security premium reductions to promote women’s employment. While women’s NGOs commend these developments, most of the issues and demands raised during the previous review have remained the same.
Issues covered in the report include comprehensive legal reform, effective implementation, and allocation of sufficient resources and holistic policy change. Other issues covered are: women's participation in politics and decision making mechanisms, education, women's participation in the labor force, and violence against women. The report argues that the increasing conservatism in Turkey during the reporting period poses a threat to women’s ability to enjoy their rights and freedoms.
Adapted from author's summary