The effect of women's rights and positive discrimination in the context of human rights on the political participation of women in Turkey

The basic argument of human rights is that all people have equal rights regardless of religion, language, race, gender and sect. In human rights, which are based on concepts such as equality, freedom and justice, the concept of positive discrimination has emerged as a result of studies to be carried out in favor of some groups that are subjected to discrimination in society. The elimination of discrimination against disadvantaged segments of society such as women, the elderly, children and the disabled and bringing them to an equal position with other segments of society have been among the main objectives of positive discrimination. Based on gender discrimination, this thesis focuses on positive discrimination practices that aim to eliminate discrimination against women and transform the position of women in society into a more egalitarian structure. Because in human history, women have always been kept in the background, excluded from the public sphere and pushed into the private sphere. As a result, discrimination against women has been built in historical continuity with gender roles and unequal social structure against women. This thesis examines women's rights and positive discrimination practices in the context of human rights. In addition, by focusing on the political sphere, which is one of the areas where women are discriminated against the most, the reflection of regulations for the development of women's rights and positive discrimination practices on women's political participation is examined. Positive discrimination practices are utilized in order for women to take part in the political sphere and to increase their political participation in every field. In this context, in this study, positive discrimination practices applied in the world for women to have equal rights and positive discrimination practices applied in Turkey are discussed. The institutions and regulations established with positive discrimination practices in Turkey are included. As a result of the theoretical research, it is seen that positive discrimination practices aimed at increasing women's political participation in Turkey are not sufficient to reach the targeted levels of political participation; the most important reasons for this are that structural problems in society (inequality in education, inequality of opportunity, gender inequality, structural inequalities and obstacles within political parties, etc.) affect women the most. As a result, women are left behind at every stage of political participation and their level of political participation is low. Keywords: Discrimination, Affirmative Action, Equality, Women's Political Participation, Election.