Panel

WOMEN’S RIGHT TO LIFE IN TURKEY: LAW AND POLITICS

Moderator:

Büşra Ersanlı
(Prof., Marmara University, Department of Political Science and International Relations)

Panelists:

Çiğdem Aydın
(President, Association of Support and Education for Woman Candidates (KA.DER))

Zozan Özgökçe
(Volunteer, Van Woman Association (VA-KAD))

Ayfer Erel
(President, Şefkat-Der)

Ilgın Kınık
(Student, Marmara University, Department of Political Science and International Relations)

MURCIR has organized the first Wednesday Panel of 2011 for the International Women’s Day, 8th of March. In this first panel at Anadoluhisarı Campus, the legal and political dimensions of women’s right to live were discussed by the panelists.

In her opening speech, Büşra Ersanlı mentioned that women are under-represented not only in the parliament but also in the bureaucracy and local administrations in Turkey.

The president of the Association for the Support and Training of Women Candidates (KA.DER), Çiğdem Aydın elaborated the issue of under-representation of women in politics and explained the main strategy they will pursue for the general elections in June 2011. By highlighting that increasing women’s representation in politics is only possible through the transformation of the approaches towards “power” in Turkish society, she stated that the power must be shared by women and men. She underlined that whereas the political parties are reluctant in achieving this transformation, the Turkish constituency has a positive look on it.

The volunteer of Van Women Association (VA-KAD), Zozan Özgökçe shared her experiences about women who suffered from domestic and sexual violence, and their encounters with the judicial institutions.

The president of Şefkat-Der, Ayfer Erel, stated that domestic violence against women is increasing day by day. She claimed that the Law No. 4320 for the Protection of Family is insufficient by giving details on the subject.

The student of the department of Political Science and International Relations, Ilgın Kınık, indicated that the present gender inequality damages men as well as women. She argued that existing social institutions including traditions and media contribute to gender inequality and prevent the emancipation of women.