Head of the Diplomatic Women’s Committee Mrs. Samargiul Adamkulova,
Distinguished colleagues Mrs. Ambassadors,
Esteemed member of diplomatic women committee,
Dear guests, .

It is a great honor for me to be invited to this distinguished meeting, which is dedicated to celebrating International Women’s Day.

Just one day ago, we celebrated the International Women's Day. On this occasion, I congratulate International Women’s Day of all.

Every year, as of eighth of March, issues related with women intensively come to the world agenda.

Of course, one specific day can never be enough for solving any problem that women face today. One single day can never cure anything. It is just symbolic. However, for solving any problem, first, one should be aware of existence of the problem. Therefore, this specific day creates a suitable intellectual environment all around the world for women, Governments and NGOs to raise awareness. Unfortunately, although we are living in an age of space, there are centuries old serious problems that women face all over the world.

Women encompass half of the total population of the world and of the countries. This is an immense power. As long as discriminations against women continue, empowerment of women become impossible. If countries cannot empower their women, they can neither have a peaceful society nor sustainable development and prosperity.

Societies with wise leaderships are aware of the fact that investing in women is investing for the future of their nations. Turkey has been one of such kind of countries.
Distinguished guests,

On this occasion, I also would like to share some information about the status of Turkish women.

From a historical point of view, Turkey is an exemplary country with regard to providing rights to women in the social and political life.

My country’s commitment to women’s rights dates back to the times of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. In 1920’s Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched intensive reforms for providing women with equal rights and opportunities. The underlying goals of these reforms were to position women securely in the public sphere and to make them active in all aspects of social life.

Turkish women have equal rights with Turkish men including the matters affecting everyday life such as marriage, divorce and inheritance. Turkish Civil Code adopted in 1926 and applied on all Turkish nationals without exception.

Women in Turkey granted the right to vote and to stand for elections earlier than many other countries including Western ones. Turkish women can vote in local elections since 1930 and has the right of full suffrage since 1934.

Due to the social and political reforms realized since 1920s, the role, life style and status of Turkish women drastically changed.

Equality of Turkish men and women is under the guarantee of the Turkish Constitution.
The reforms since 2003 also strengthened the status of Turkish women in the society.
The latest Constitutional Amendment dated September 2010 further enhanced the legal fundamentals of women’s human rights by introducing the concept of “positive discrimination” with regard to so-called “vulnerable groups” like women, children and the disabled.
In addition, the two fundamental laws of the Turkish legal system, namely the Civil Code and the Penal Code reviewed and notable achievements were realised in the articles concerning women. Labour Law reformed in 2003 to ensure that employers respect the principle of equality between women and men and that no discrimination made between employees based on gender or maternity.

Established on 24 March 2009 at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the “Commission for Equal Opportunity between Women and Men” is currently active and functional. The Commission, whose primary goal is to contribute to the protection and development of women’s rights, also monitors developments on this issue at the national and international levels.

In this period, I am proud to say that Turkey could overcome the discriminatory applications against veiled women. This reform makes Turkish women stronger and their participation to social, economic and political life of the country easier.

Stronger legal status has also strengthened the self-esteem of the Turkish women in general and they began to take their rightful shares and places in all sectors of life.

In recent years, Turkey has faced with refugee-migrant flows since 2011, which makes it the country hosting the largest number of refugees. Turkey hosts only almost 3.5 million Syrians in its territory. Along with other nationals, number of migrants reach more than 4.5 million. As you appreciate, most of our guests are vulnerable women and children. Turkey is more sensitive for them including women and gets measures to protect their rights.

Unfortunately, nowadays, in our World, especially in Europe, some discriminatory, xenophobic and Islamophobic rhetorics and movements target first women. They make and present some women as other of them and feed their ideologies by attacking them. As all women of the world, we must oppose this dangerous trend who accuse some women due to their preferences.

Distinguished guests,
Turkey and Kuwait have similarities in their histories that we can rightfully be proud of. What makes Kuwait so unique and special is Kuwaiti women’s education level, intellectual and social capacity. Kuwaiti women have managed gracefully to combine the traditions and multicultural features of this lovely country with contemporary values in their daily lives. Kuwaiti women’s dynamism is the true reflection of the State and all Kuwaitis. Turkey and Kuwait also carries the Kuwait’s Engineer Girls Project together since 2017.
In concluding my speech, I would like to express my gratitude to be invited such a distinguished meeting and congratulate your International Women’s Day.

Thank you.