The role of municipalities in ensuring gender equality: Research on metropolitan municipalities within the scope of the women friendly cities project

In this study, a research was conducted on the provinces included in the Women Friendly Cities Project implemented in Turkey. The aim is to reveal the role and impact of metropolitan municipalities in realizing gender equality. Within the scope of the research, document analysis, which is a qualitative research method, was used. A sample was determined from the cities in the scope of the Women Friendly Cities Project. The Local Equality Action Plans prepared for each city in the sample and the activity reports of the metropolitan municipalities were examined. With the Local Equality Action Plans, it has been determined which areas of activity the metropolitan municipalities are responsible for in realizing gender equality. By examining the activity reports, it has been revealed which of the activities determined for the realization of gender equality by the metropolitan municipalities. In the research, it has been concluded that many activities for which metropolitan municipalities are responsible are not fulfilled. It has been determined that the activities carried out by the metropolitan municipalities are insufficient to contribute to gender equality and there is no awareness on the subject. The results showed that the important thing is not to set the goals, but to put them into practice. In line with the results obtained, some suggestions for the realization of gender equality by metropolitan municipalities are also included.