8 MARCH WOMEN'S DAY MESSAGE FROM BAGIS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that the provision of gender equality and the development and protection of women's right to take place equally and fairly in each phase of social life was not only a priority for Turkey and EU but also for the whole world.

In his message he delivered on the occasion of Women's Day, Bagis said: "Following the great leader, founder of the Turkish Republic Ataturk who gave the women the right to vote and to be elected before many European countries did, our government, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, is determined to develop and protect the women's rights."

Stating that works had been intensified within this scope in order to enhance representation of women in the political field and eliminate all kinds of violence towards women including prevention of honour and custom crimes revoking the right to live, the most fundamental right of women, Bagis noted that, regarding that issue, particularly within the framework of accession negotiations reform process that is carried out with the EU, important steps were being taken with a view to improving the legal and actual status of women.

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Source: AA