Gender Equality in Access to Religious Services Mapping and Monitoring Study Full Summary

Abstract

The present report is the outcome of a series of thematic mapping work and efforts to develop gender equality (GE) monitoring indicators under the Enhancement of Participatory Democracy in Turkey: Gender Equality Monitoring Project. The project took shape in the period 2013-2017 in a process involving meetings and exchange of opinion with many institutions and persons. The common point emerging in this process was the necessity of developing independent mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation at the stage that gender equality (GE) policies reached in Turkey. In other words, what was needed was an independent monitoring mechanism to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of national legislation and action plans developed so far in translating GE into life. This also entailed the development of tools satisfying relevant scientific and technical requirements and facilitating systematic monitoring free from political and ideological polemics. To ensure compliance with international norms and sustainability, it was also necessary to develop monitoring indicators and assess these indicators through mapping and periodic reporting, which became the roadmap of the project. It was also among the objectives of the project to take initial steps to ensure the institutionalization needed for the sustainability of these efforts.