Fatma Şahin, Gaziantep deputy for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) told bianet  they were expecting a commission regarding the equality between men and women to be formed in the Parliament in September.

Şahin said that they wanted their bill for the commission to become a law in the beginning of July, but because of the recent agenda of the country, it had to be postponed to September.

What will the name of the commission be?

The name proposed for the bill, which was signed by twenty- five AKP deputies, is “Equal Opportunity Commission”. Şahin says they are expecting to modify this as “Equal Opportunity Commission Between Men And Women”, but they are still discussing it. The women organizations proposed the name “Equality Commission.”

What will the commission do?

According to the bill that is waiting in the Parliament to become a law, the duties of the commission will be the following:  

- To inspect bills, bill proposals and decrees with the power of law in order to determine if they comply with the national legislation and international obligations regarding the equality between men and women. To give expert opinion to other specialized commissions.

- To prepare an evaluation report in every legislative year about the developments towards establishment of equality between men and women and the activities regarding them.

- To observe the developments in other countries and international institutions and to have inspections in other countries and to inform the Parliament about them.

- To provide the Parliament with the necessary information and documents about the subject.

- To organize activities about equality between men and women in order to inform the public.

The commission is expected to have the power to ask for information about the subject from the government ministries and offices, public institutions and private organizations.

The commission will call in experts when needed. (TK/TB)