A cross-party demand for a gender equality committee in parliament has been accepted by the Constitutional Committee.

"A turning point for gender equality"

Dr. Selma Acuner is a co-founder of the Association for the Education and Support of Women Candidates (KADER) and is set to be an NGO representative in the committee. She told bianet that such a committee would mean that gender equality would mean an institutionalised spread of gender equality at all decision-making points. “It represents a turning point for the women’s struggle for equality.”

Acuner listed the function of the Gender Equality Committee as follows:

• The committee will examine draft laws and bills, and if necessary reject them
• It will investigate complaints about violations
• It will examine whether draft laws meet the criteria of international conventions
• It will collaborate with NGOs
• It will be authorised to audit the implementation of the Prime Ministerial memorandum on violence towards women
• It will be responsible for publishing its projects and reports.

A serious initiative for Turkey

Because, so Acuner, there will now be a powerful committee to audit laws, a gender equality law can quickly be formulated and passed. This committee, says Acuner, will be more effective than the EU Accordance committee or the Human Rights committee, and thus represents a positive development for women.

“Women will have a place they can apply to. There will be an institutionalised effort to attain equality. Unresolved cases can be brought to this committee. In terms of the international arena, EU criteria will be fulfilled. For Turkey’s policy on women, this is a serious initiative.”

Acuner emphasised that cross-party consensus, and also the approval of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had led to the formation of this committee.

The formation of the committee awaits parliamentary approval on Thursday (5 February). It will have 25 members, with preference given to MPs with expertise in the area. (EZÖ/AG)