Women?s rights in the process of the European Union membership of Turkey

The relationship of Turkey and the European Union, which began with the demand of Turkey to be a member of the European Economic Community in 1957, has been continuing over 50 years. Within this period, various laws for women?s rights have been created and the candidate countries have been wanted to harmonize their national legislations accordingly.At the first part of the study, historical process, institutional members and the structure of the European Union is clarified. At the second part, how Turkey has made progress so far from the time of the beginning of relationship between Turkey and the European Union and the present situation in the process of membership is indicated. At the third part of the study, Europe?s attitude to the women is presented. The women?s place in the society from the first ages to the modern period is clarified, by discussing the conceptual dimension of the woman identification.What the arrangements for women are provided by The European Union, the key of our study, is presented at the fourth part of the study. Theoretical, legal, social and political processes of the women?s rights created by the European Union are emphasized and the structural appearance of the rights is examined.At the fifth and the last part of our study, the arrangements about women?s rights made by Turkey, the candidate country for the European Union, within the context of adaptation to the EU Acquis are examined. At this period, the process of the progression of women?s rights in Turkey is examined as divided into 3 phases. In the light of these developments, legislative framework of the movements aimed at improving the women?s rights will be clarified.Key words: The European Union, Turkey-EU Relationships and Women?s Right