The role of the European Union in the development of women's rights in Turkey

Women's struggle for human rights is a deeply rooted historical journey, representing a resistance against the male-dominated social structure that has dominated society for centuries. Women's rights are one of the most important components of the universal nature of human rights, and at the core of this struggle lies the fact that women's voices have been restricted, relegated to the background, and deprived of fundamental rights and freedoms throughout history. The painful realities that girls were sometimes buried alive and women were seen as men's slaves symbolize the deep wounds created by societal gender bias. The existence of cultures that thank God for not being born female reminds us once again of the profound depth of this tragedy. The central issue here is not the inherent superiority of women or men, but the intense oppression of gender roles established in a society. The foundation of building a democratic society is based on gender equality; however, unfortunately, when we look back through history, we see that there have always been obstacles to women's participation in social, political, and economic life. Women's rights have become more than just a legal concept; they must be addressed in all their social, political, and economic dimensions. The devastation, human rights violations, and immense trauma experienced after World War II paved the way for the emergence of a human-centered perspective. In this context, it became inevitable that women's rights would become a universal area of responsibility. Documenting the adverse conditions women face and implementing regulations for women within the EU (EU) framework are integral parts of this struggle. While Turkey's efforts on women's rights during the EU negotiation process demonstrate its commitment and transformation in this area, the EU's role in this process deserves in-depth analysis. This study assesses the impact of the European Union on the evolution of women's rights and human rights in Turkey, reiterating the necessity of gender equality for democracy. Within this framework, EU legislation, international agreements, and Turkey's official legislation are examined in detail using qualitative research methods, exploring the impact of legal changes on social life. This thesis aims to make an original contribution to the literature by holistically examining the transformation of women's rights in Turkey, not only within the legal framework but also in terms of cultural and social dynamics.