European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Law Faculty Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Saniye Albas discussed “Women’s Rights in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” within the scope of Women’s Rights Day.

Albas stated that since 1934, one of the most important revolutions of our leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and reminding that women also have a place in society by giving Turkish women the “right to vote and to be elected” before all countries of the world, it has been celebrated as the Women’s Rights Day on 5 December every year. She made the following statements:

“While it is called Women’s Rights Day, it is useful to look at the legislations we have adopted to protect women in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. As it is known, the TRNC Republican Assembly approved the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence with the Law No. 58/2011 dated 25 November 2011 and made it a part of our domestic law. Again in 1996, it was approved by the Assembly of the Republic and entered into force; Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women. This contract is also known as CEDAW and is included in the contracts we are a party to. Chapter 154 of the Penal Code also regulates acts harmful to the public as a crime and sets sanctions for this:

*In Article 148 of the Penal Code, Chapter 154; “Anyone who kidnaps/detains a person for the purpose of marrying/marrying another person/having sexual intercourse/having sexual intercourse with another person/violating his sexual immunity in any way commits a serious crime and is sentenced to up to ten years in prison if convicted.” ‘, an arrangement was made by saying.

* In Article 150; one acts harmful to the public, such as “Any person who forces a man or woman to marry through threats against his will, commits a crime”.

*Article 151 Sexual Harassment Offense.

*Article 152, Offense of Sexual Assault.

*Article 153 Offense of Sexual Rape of a Child Under the Age of Sixteen.

*Article 154 Sexual Abuse of a Child.

*Article 155 Offense of Sexual Rape of a Disabled Person.

*Article 172, acts of prejudice or hatred and psychological or economic violence are included in the Penal Code and it is foreseen that those who commit these crimes will be punished with imprisonment if they are convicted.

If we give an example in terms of private law; According to Article 36 of the Family (Marriage and Divorce) Law No. 1/1998; the aggrieved party will be able to apply to the court with a unilateral appeal and request a protection order.

Albas finally concluded her words as follows; The person can request a protection order application on their behalf by applying to the Violence Prevention and Counseling Center working under the Gender Equality Department. Social Services Department Directorate put into effect the “Emergency Social Service Hotline” with phone number ALO 183 and put it at the service of citizens 24/7. It is known that the notifications received here are reported to both the Police Department and health institutions. In our country, where crimes such as assault, threats of violence and phone harassment are increasing, importance should be given to gender equality without discrimination between men and women, and necessary studies should be carried out in this regard.