GENDER EQUALITY IN TÜRKİYE: HISTORICAL LEGACIES, INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORKS, AND THE UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Abstract

This research provides a critical analysis of the historically gendered relationship between the state and the individual, revealing how state structures have long been dominated by patriarchal norms that systematically exclude women from political and institutional domains. While the state has functioned as a central mechanism for organising social order, its evolution has predominantly reflected male experiences and authority. Through a historical and theoretical lens, this research explores the ideological foundations of gender inequality embedded in state institutions from antiquity to the modern era. The study assesses the effectiveness of international frameworks, particularly those of the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), in fostering women’s empowerment. It further evaluates Türkiye’s progress toward aligning with these standards. Drawing on legal, historical, and statistical evidence, the findings expose enduring structural and cultural barriers to gender parity. The study concludes with concrete policy recommendations aimed at promoting gender-sensitive governance and inclusive development.