Gender equality and women's issues in Turkiye and Azerbaijan: Analysis of the period 2002-2023

In both Türkiye and Azerbaijan, one of the first steps taken when the Republic was established was to grant women the right to vote and be elected. Over time, women's movements have progressed and demands for gender equality have increased. In both countries, the issue of women is included in the new strategies organised after the 2000s. Weak representation of women in public administration, early marriages, gender-based violence, women working in lower paid jobs in the labour market, etc. are observed as the main problems related to gender equality. The international convention on women's rights "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" was adopted by Türkiye in 1985 and Azerbaijan in 1995. After the adoption of the Convention, legal changes are made in both countries in accordance with it. In this study, the problem of the similarities and differences of gender equality and women's political representation in Turkey and Azerbaijan is addressed. The study aims to reveal the similarities and differences by making a comparative analysis of the views on the women's problem and gender equality in social, economic and political fields and the policies carried out in this regard during the AK Party in Türkiye and the New Azerbaijan Party in Azerbaijan in the 2000s. Keywords: Türkiye, Azerbaijan, women, gender equality