Democratization of local governments in Türkiye and the impact of women's representation on this

This study aims to examine the relationship between the democratization process of local governments and female representation in Turkey. Local governments, as one of the fundamental elements of democracy, promote public participation in decision-making processes and strengthen local governance. However, the democratization process is directly related to gender equality and female representation. Increasing the representation of women in local governments is crucial not only for gender equality but also for establishing a more transparent, accountable, and participatory governance model. In this thesis, the historical development of local governments in Turkey and research on female representation are explored, and the connection between women's representation in local governments and democratization is examined. The study analyzes issues such as the rate of female representation in Turkey, the number of female candidates in local elections, and the implementation of gender quotas. Additionally, the societal and structural barriers to women's representation in local governments and the legal frameworks surrounding them are discussed. The findings of the research show that increasing female representation strengthens democratization processes and helps local governments reach a more positive state in terms of transparency, accountability, and participation. In this context, the increased involvement of women in local governments contributes not only to gender equality but also to the overall strengthening of the democratization process. The study offers recommendations for increasing female representation in local governments to achieve these goals. The aim of this study is to examine the democratization process of local governments in Turkey and the contribution of women's representation to this process using a qualitative research method. The research draws on the experiences and perspectives of women who have served or are currently serving in active roles within local governments. Data were collected through an interview form consisting of open-ended questions. The fieldwork for the study was conducted in May and June of 2024. Interviews were carried out in written form through online platforms, with each interview lasting approximately 30–40 minutes. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method, and in order to ensure diversity, interviews were conducted with eight women local administrators holding different positions.