Gender Discrimination Is Unacceptable!

GENDER DISCRIMINATION IS UNACCEPTABLE!

We received with great concern the reports that a concert restricted to women-only audiences is to be held in the concert halls of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra.

Such a practice constitutes gender discrimination contrary to the equality principle of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey and to international human rights conventions.

Under the equality principle of the Constitution, the state may not discriminate on any ground, including sex.

Accordingly, admitting only women as an audience, by excluding male audience members, is regarded as a practice contrary to the principle of equality.

Furthermore, discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited under the Turkish Penal Code and international human rights conventions.

Such an event, by barring men's participation, is to be regarded as a discriminatory practice.

Beyond all this, cultural services provided or facilitated by public institutions must be offered to everyone equally.

A concert or event that excludes a particular sex will be challenged as a violation of the principle of equal access to public services.

We believe cultural events must be offered equally and fairly within the constitutional order, without gender discrimination.

Defining an audience on the basis of sex creates discrimination, and this is unacceptable.

On this occasion, we call on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to refrain from such discriminatory practices and to organise all events with an inclusive and egalitarian approach.

We emphasise once again that every part of society has an equal right of access to art and culture.

Culture Workers' Union