Thank you Mr. President,

Turkey would like to thank all the panelists for the comprehensive insights on the civil society’s role on integration of a gender perspective in the work of the HRC and its mechanisms.

As an ardent co-sponsor of the resolution 6/30, I would like to share our pleasure to have this fruitful annual forum on moving the share of gender perspective one step forward in the overall human rights work.

Equality between women and men is not only a fundamental human right principle, but also the very first requisite for social justice as a fundamental precondition for equality of all individuals before the law. In that sense, gender equality is a basic principle of democracy. Therefore, the first set of measures that states can take, are obviously judicial and administrative ones.

From this point onward, the State has the obligation to enact the laws to provide equal opportunities to women and men in all aspects of social life. Meanwhile, civil society has the potential to play a key role in inspiring and directing the governments towards integrating gender equality in the legislations.

On the other hand, gender inequality and violence against women are global problems, which have their roots deep in the traditional practices. Therefore legal measures are necessary, but not enough.

In tackling gender discrimination and cleansing the society of the traditional, social and cultural roots of this bigotry, non-governmental organizations are essential companions in raising the awareness of the society on the issue.

As a case in point, in Turkey, the 2008-2013 National Action Plan on Gender Equality was prepared by the Directorate General of the Status of Women. The relevant NGOs participated in the preparation of this Plan, which was aimed to constitute a base for public policies. According to the plan, various projects are prepared in cooperation with interested NGOs.

The international level, particularly the HRC and its special mechanisms, is another field where the NGOs can and do contribute to the promotion of women's rights. In the universal periodic review, our colleagues here today will acknowledge the importance of the information provided by the NGOs present on the field. Moreover, by joining the debates they have the potential to influence the direction of discussions.
Also in the building up process of resolutions of the HRC, NGOs, with which we are sharing this hall today, have the possibility of inspiring delegations to include elements regarding gender equality and to make space for gender integration in the common philosophy of the HRC.

I thank you Mr. President.