The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre, in his message issued to mark, International Women’s Rights Day, said “I wholeheartedly believe in the representation power and ability of our women in every segment of society and in all levels of work life.”

The Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre issued a written message marking December 5, International Women’s Rights Day.

Expressing that he wholeheartedly believed in the power of the representation and ability of women in all segments of society, including the workplace, Töre wished all women a happy, healthy and peaceful life they deserve.

Noting that December 5 is International Women’s Rights Day and the anniversary of granting to Turkish women the “Right to Vote and to be Elected”, he said “I congratulate our women on this special occasion, thanking all of them, who are at the forefront of the struggle for existence, for the bravery and sacrifice they show in all walks of life.”

He pointed out that the day was a meaningful one to draw attention to the problems women face in society and to seek solutions to those problems.

“The rights granted to women in terms of access and participation in democratic societies are undoubtedly of great importance. For a modern, democratic and progressive society, it is of great importance to improve and strengthen the conditions of our women, to expand their areas of activity, to ensure that they benefit from equal opportunities in education, employment, health, politics and all other fields,” Töre said.

He reminded that following the granting of Turkish women the right to vote and be elected by Atatürk on December 5, 1934, women MPs achieved a representation rate of 4.6 percent in the 1935 elections in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

“There are currently 11 women deputies in our Republican Assembly. It is pleasing that there is an increase in the number of female MPs compared to the previous years. It is our hope that this number will increase in the coming years” Töre said.