Women’s Rights Day (5 December)

Turkish women were given the right to vote and to be elected on 5 December 1934 — for the first time in Turkey, and before women in many Western countries. The founder of our republic, the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, addressed women on 5 December 1934 and urged them to use this right competently and with discretion.

Since that day in 1934, 5 December has been celebrated as Women’s Rights Day in our country. Women have equal rights with men in science, business, health, education and every other area of social and cultural life — and that is how it should be. Women have had to fight for their rights in almost every country, and have succeeded in most. Turkish women, too, have proven themselves everywhere and have used their lawful rights with acumen.