Demands for equality voiced by women all over the world has an important place in the historical human rights struggle. As a result of the struggle for equality, women acquired important gains for the establishment of access to fundamental rights and freedoms and equality at a global scale. International Women's Day adopted by United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 16 December 1977 serves as an important reminder of the years-long struggle for the protection and strengthening of women's rights.

In the Article 2 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by UN General Assembly in 1948, it is stated that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, prohibits discrimination on the ground of gender in enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Convention. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted by UN General Assembly in 1979 aims to guarantee and promote the fundamental rights of women states parties to the Convention by prohibiting discrimination. It is seen that international human rights law forms a comprehensive normative framework to ensure that women can benefit from fundamental rights and freedoms equally by prohibiting gender-based discrimination.

Our national legislation also guarantees gender equality. According to the Article 10 of the Constitution, “everyone is equal before the law without distinction as to language, race, colour, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and sect, or any such grounds. (Paragraph added on May 7, 2004; Act No. 5170) Men and women have equal rights. The State has the obligation to ensure that this equality exists in practice. (Sentence added on May 7, 2010; Act No. 5982) Measures taken for this purpose shall not be interpreted as contrary to the principle of equality.”

Our Institution, which continues its work with the mission of protecting and promoting human rights, guaranteeing the right of people to be treated equally, and effectively combating torture and ill-treatment, continues its activities effectively to protect and promote human rights on the basis of the understanding of equal citizenship. On the occasion of March 8 International Women's Day, we wish for a world where women and girls have equal access to fundamental rights and freedoms without being exposed to any form of discrimination.

Respectfully announced to the public.