GENDER EQUALITY IN ISTANBUL: RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES AFTER THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Abstract

After the general elections of 2023, Turkish politicians directed a critical movement emphasizing the imperative for societal equality. Moreover, after the general elections of 2023, Istanbul serves as a microcosm of the issue of gender equality faced by Turkey. Thus, this study aims to highlight both the risks and opportunities that have emerged concerning gender equality in Istanbul in the 2023 post-election period. For this, the inductive research approach was suitable along with interpretivism research philosophy and qualitative research design. Also, the study collected primary data from an open-ended semi-structured questionnaire and published articles from authorized journals. The primary data was collected from a total of 10 participants from the women’s rights advocates and legal and human rights experts of Istanbul, which were analyzed through thematic analysis. As per the findings of primary and secondary data, this study identifies and evaluates the concrete impacts of gender equality policies in Istanbul after the 2023 general elections. The study reported the societal and political implications of the 2023 general elections in terms of the low representation of females in political leadership and the job market. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches that address the risk factors associated with gender inequality.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62185/issn.3023-5448.1.1.3