"MORE WOMEN ARE NEEDED IN THE PARLIAMENT, IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND IN THE BUSINESS LIFE"

In the opening speech of the international symposium in Istanbul titled: "Role of the TGNA Parliamentary Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men in Ensuring Gender Equality", Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bagis stated that women should take part more in the parliament, in the public sector, in the management of companies, in the media and in the art. He said: "This is very important for our integration process with the EU".

Bagis declared that women rights were an inseparable part of the human rights and could not be handled separately. Bagis added that this approach was also a part of the Turkish traditions. He continued his words as follows:

"In our culture, even heaven lies under the feet of the mothers. In the past, Turkish khans ruled the country with their wives nearby. Therefore, the number of women in the Parliament today is the highest number since the foundation of the Turkish Republic. But this number should be higher".

Egemen Bagis stated that after his appointment as the Chief negotiator, the first question of one of the EU Commissioners he visited was about the gender equality. Bagis added that then, he had met the former State Minister for Women and Family Affairs, Nimet Cubukcu and they had prepared a justification to forward the law establishing the Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, to the Parliament. Bagis emphasized that inequality was not an issue of Turkey solely; it had become a chronic problem even in countries which seemed to be democratic, civilised, with no problems.

Bagis underlined that two days before, in the meeting with European parliamentarians in the European Parliament, he was asked about the gender equality. He added that he could confidently replied and said: "the Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men is a permanent commission, and it has the power to amend all the law proposals and drafts, and also this commission provides the mechanism to ensure gender equality".

Bagis stated that everybody should cooperate to enable women to take part more in politics and daily life. Bagis concluded as follows:

"There is not election in Turkey this year. We should appreciate the significance of this year. We should all cooperate with women-men, the ruling-opposition party, and the Muslim-non-Muslims. We should cooperate to pass the necessary laws to enable Turkey reach the EU standards. Here, in the presence of you, I want to make call to our women representatives. Perhaps they can achieve what we could not have done. Women representatives of both the ruling and the opposition parties can cooperate and pioneer us. I hope that this year will be the EU year of Turkey".

Source: AA