SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT WOMEN

Türkiye’s report card for gender equality is highly disappointing.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Gender Inequality Report, Türkiye is ranked 129 out of 146 countries (5 ranks below compared to 2022, and ahead only of countries such as India, Tunisia, Jordan, Nigeria and Gambia). The report includes sub-indicators such as equal opportunity, women’s participation in the economy, opportunities for education, health and women’s empowerment in politics. In regard to the category of women’s participation in the economy, Türkiye ranks 133 out of 146 countries, ranking behind Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar [1].

Goal No. 5 of the United Nations Development Program’s “Sustainable Development Goals” states that “empowering women and girls creates a multiplier effect and accelerates economic growth”. Development cannot be achieved without the participation of women.

Gender inequality is a serious obstacle to Türkiye’s democratisation and development.  Sustainable development and economic growth are only possible through gender equality in decision-making and representation mechanisms, education, economy and social life.

The labour force participation rate of women, who make up half of the population, is unfortunately not even close to the desired level.  According to the report of the Turkish Institute of Statistics dated May 2023, the employment rate for women was 31.4% compared to 66% for men [2].  It is foreseen that, in 2024, growth in Türkiye shall decline, inflation will remain high and unemployment will increase.

Eliminating gender inequality and increasing women’s participation in the labour force shall significantly contribute to the sustainable development of Türkiye. This is also essential for improving the current challenging economic conditions and to break away from the middle income trap.

The below measures should be taken to empower women in areas where they are disadvantaged and to ensure they enjoy equal rights:

• Women should be given full equality of opportunity in education.
• Women should have equal representation at all levels of decision-making in the national public sector and also the private sector, and quotas should be imposed for women at all levels of administration and management.
• Equal access to employment, promotion, entrepreneurship, investments and leadership for women in the public and private sectors should be ensured.
• Discrimination and any situation resulting in discrimination of women in workplaces should be eliminated, and control mechanisms and deterrent measures against unregistered employment and long working hours should be put in place.
• Incentives should be introduced to strengthen women’s participation in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and to increase the number of companies owned or managed by women.
• Public awareness on gender equality should be increased through comprehensive training and campaigns; social norms which are prejudice against women and gender-based roles that hinder women’s advancement must be abolished.
• Strong public policies must be implemented to prevent all forms of violence against women. Legal and social reforms must immediately be implemented.

Turkish women live under the threat of violence. The measures taken do not improve the situation; on the contrary, it becomes even worse.

Türkiye has withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention, the most important step it had taken to combat gender inequality. The Council of State has not annulled the President’s decision to withdraw from an international convention ratified by the Turkish Parliament, despite the decision of the withdrawal being unlawful. Hence, women’s fight for equal rights, the rule of law and our democracy has suffered a heavy blow.

While it is argued that the existing legislation are “already” very sufficient, 315 women were murdered in Türkiye in 2023 and 248 women were found dead in suspicious circumstances [3].

Violence against women and girls in public and private spaces, which includes all forms of abuse, must end!

Türkiye must take the measures to prevent violence. The Istanbul Convention must be reinstated; legal regulations that prevent femicides and crimes of violence against women must immediately be enforced and effective measures must be put in place to ensure their efficient and appropriate implementation.

At Gün + Partners, we believe that a strong society is only possible by ensuring gender equality. We call on everyone to take action to eliminate gender inequality.

Happy International Women’s Day!

[1] https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2023.pdf /

[2] https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Isgucu-Istatistikleri-Mayis-2023-49387#:~:text=%C4%B0%C5%9Fg%C3%BCc%C3%BC%202023%20y%C4%

[3] https://kadincinayetlerinidurduracagiz.net/veriler/3088/2023-yillik-veri-raporu