Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has called for amendments in the current political parties law in order to introduce a “gender quota.”
Speaking at a meeting in the western province of Aydın with a group of women neighborhood heads (muhtars) on the occasion of the March 8 International Women’s Day, Kılıçdaroğlu said: “I call on all political parties to change the political parties law and introduce a quota of 33 percent for women. We can pass this regulation in parliament if you [women] keep a close eye on this.”
“Women should realize and be aware of what the future holds for them. Every woman should join the struggle. This is a struggle for democracy,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, adding that women should have a presence in all the fields of life.
“That is why we called for a gender quota. Those who reject this idea are the ones who are afraid of women” he added.
In December 2017, the CHP first floated the idea of imposing a 33 percent gender quota in all elections in Turkey, in a bid to increase women’s representation.
In the legislative proposal submitted on Dec. 6 to the Parliament Speaker’s Office, the CHP proposed a 33 percent gender quota for lawmakers, as well as members of municipal and provincial assemblies.