Turkey: Women in Development Book

In adopting the Swiss Civil Code in 1926, Turkey became the first Islamic country to eliminate the Sharia, the Islamic legal code that underlies the segregation of sexes and differential legal treatment. This step cleared the way for comprehensive changes in the status of women in Turkey. Nonetheless, more than half a century later, there are a multitude of issues relating to the role and status of women. In very general terms, these range from the extent to which legal reform and the separation of religion from state has affected the traditional life style of women in Turkish society, to major economic and social factors that are impacting on their role and ability to participate in the country's development. The report is intended to serve as the basis of the World Bank's discussions with the Government of Turkey to enhance the participation of women in the economic development process. In light of these discussions, the Bank will prepare an action program, which will serve as the basis for its support to the government to enhance women's participation. While touching on the general situation of women, the focus of the report is on women's labor force participation and the constraints they face therein. In this context, the report addresses issues concerning women in four major areas: education and technical training, agriculture, industry and credit, together with the impact of the legal framework on women's participation. In addition, the report addresses women's health, fertility and nutritional status. The role and impact of government on women and its strategies to incorporate women into national policies and programs are also examined.