Gender Equality MARCH 2020 Gender Equality | Page 21

The sexist point of view in the societal structure creates barriers against women’s participation in social life and their enjoyment of the existing legal rights. Therefore, campaigns, trainings, in-service trainings, meetings and other forms of awareness raising activities are being organized, printed and visual media are deployed to create and awareness on the legal rights, to ensure a mental transformation and to enhance the sensitivity of both relevant parties and the whole public opinion . Turkey has identified education, health, violence and participation in employment as priority areas in respect to ensuring gender equality and women empowerment. Besides other ongoing activities, the most important development in this regard has been the preparation and entering into effect of the “Gender Equality National Plan (2008-2013)” and “National Action Plan in Combating Domestic Violence against Women”. The mentioned National Plans have been prepared on the basis of the critical fields defined in the Beijing Platform for Action. Problems, priority areas and implementation strategies concerning this issue have been 22 identified. For each implementation strategy, the National Action Plans include room for the responsible public institutions and organizations. Separate “monitoring and evaluation committees” have been established for each field, yet, with the participation of the responsible public institutions and organizations to ensure the monitoring and evaluations of the National Action Plans. Significant developments are targeted to be achieved by 2013. It is evident that ensuring the participation of all parties is necessary to achieve the goals of the works targeting gender equality. Equal Rights Equal Opportunities 21