Public Opinion Survey on Women in Politics in Turkey

1. Public Opinion Survey on Women in Politics in Turkey 14 November 2006

2. CONTENTS • Information on the Survey • Sampling Structure of the Survey • Survey Findings • Women in Politics in Turkey • Recent Situation in Turkish Politics

3. INFORMATION • The survey has been realized by Konsensus Research and Consultancy for UNDP • The survey is capable of representing the urban/rural population of Turkey • The survey was realized through face-to-face interviews at households with 1.000 persons aged 18 and above • The field study of the survey was realized between 29 July – 15 August 2006 • 3-step (NUTs 1, NUTs 2, NUTs 3) sratified sampling method was used in the survey and source persons were selected according to the latest date of birth rule

4. Public Opinion Survey on Women in Politics in Turkey Sampling Structure of the Survey

5. Geographical Regions where the Survey was Realized

6. Provinces where the Survey was Realized The Survey was realized in 26 provinces constituting the 2nd-Level Statistical Zone of Turkey

7. Settlement Units where the Survey was Realized

8. Sex of Interviewee

9. Household Size of Interviewee Mean: 4.6 persons

10. Age of Interviewee Mean: 36

11. Educational Status of Interviewee

12. Employment Status of Interviewee

13. Public Opinion Survey on Women in Politics in Turkey Survey Findings Women in Politics in Turkey

14. “I Want to See More Women Represented in Politics in Turkey” Question: Would you like to see more women represented in polical decision making mechanism, local governments and the Parliament? N=1000

15. “Because, I Believe Women’s Abilities in Taking Responsibilities are More Sophisticated” Question: To what extent do you agree or not agree with the following expressions? More women should be represented in political decision making (in local governments and the Parliament) in Turkey, because: N=824

16. Ege %85 Akdeniz %85 Marmara %84 Central A. %83 Black Sea %81 East Anatolia %78 South East Anatolia %76 %70 %72 %74 %76 %78 %80 %82 %84 %86 %88 “In Turkey, the demand for women politicians increase in numbers”decrease from West to the East

17. My Son may Engage in Politics, I must think it over for my Daughter and Spouse! Question: Would you approve your family members engaging in politics? N=1000

18. %70 Son %60 Son %60 Doughter %57 %54 Spouse Doughter %49 %50 %47 Spouse %12 %40 %37 %30 %20 %10 %0 Erkek Kadın Eşin Kız çocuğun Erkek çocuğun “The Acceptibility of the Spouse to Engage in Politics is %49 among Women, and %37 among Men

19. Only 4% of the Deputies in the Parliament are Women Source: MKHR 2005

20. And Only 1 of Every 5 Electors is Aware of this in Turkey! N=1000 Question: In your opinion, what is the percentage of women politicians in the Parliament at present?

21. Percentage of Women in Politics is Low, Because They are not Given a Chance! Question: What are the reasons for low percentage of representation of women in political decision making process in Turkey ? N=1000

22. Let Women Solve the Problems Concerning Particularly: Education, Health and Poverty in Turkey! Question: In which areas do you think a faster progress could be achieved with more women participating in political decision making mechanisms in Turkey? N=1000

23. Because, Women Politicians can Solve These Problem Quickly! Question: Apart from the party you intend to vote for, you could vote for the party targeting to work with priority in which area in the next general elections? N=1000

24. Representation of More Women in Politics will Color the Grey Politics! Question: To what extent do you agree or not agree with the expression: “Participation of women in politics could change positively both the nature of politics from the standpoint of the manner and contents of the political behavior, and the results obtained in all areas”? N=1000

25. Approximately 1 of Every 5 Electors is not Happy with the Woman Policies of the Political Party They Support! Question: Are you happy with the policies of the party you support and/or vote for in connection with equality of women and political rights of women? N=1000

26. I’m not Happy with the Woman Policies of the Political Party I Support, Because the Number of Woman Politicians is Low! Question: What should be the direction of changes in the policies of the party you vote for concerning equality of men and women? N=161

27. Increasing the Number of Woman Politicians Means 25% More Votes! Question: In which direction would your voting preference be affected by a higher percentage of woman politicians in a political party relative to other political parties? N=1000

28. Full Support to Gender Quota Question: To what extent do you support political parties making gender quota application effective by including it in their regulations for equal participation of women in decision making mechanisms? N=1000

29. It is necessary to Change the Election Law to Increase the Number of Women in the Parliament Question: To what extent do you think it is necessary to make legal reforms in the election law to increase the number of women in the Parliament? N=1000

30. I have Doubts About Realization of Required Reforms! Question: Do you believe that applications will be realized to change the gender inequality in the Parliament in order for women to be represented more in politics? N=1000

31. I have High Expectations of the “Women’s Organizations” and of the “Parliament” to End Gender Inequality in Politics! Question: Which of the following institutions do you believe would be helpful in changing the gender inequality in political decision making mechanisms? N=1000

32. Public Opinion Survey on Women in Politics in Turkey Recent Situation in Turkish Politics

33. Political Spectrum of Turkey Question: Where in the political spectrum do you stand in terms of your political preferences? N=1000

34. I will vote for AKP and DYP because I Consider Their Activities and Services Successful, for other Parties Because They Suit My Political View! N=697 Question: What is the reason for your intending to vote for this party if general elections were held tomorrow?

35. Approximately 1 of every 3 electors has changed his/her political preferences since 3 November 2002 general elections Question-1: Which party did you vote for at the general elections held on 3 November 2002? Question-2: What is the reason for your intending to vote for this party if general elections were held tomorrow?

36. In Conclusion • The number of woman politicians in Turkey is low. • People want women to take a bigger role in political mechanisms in Turkey. • Higher percentage of women in a political party relative to others may bring 25% more votes to that party. • Turkish electors, 40% think they are on the RIGHT of the political spectrum, 25% on the LEFT and CENTER of it. • At present, 4 political arties are likely to enter the Parliament at general elections to be held. • 36% of the electors stated they have changed their political preferences since 3 November 2002, and new electors at the ratio of 9% will cast vote for the first time at possible general elections.

37. THANKS Murat Sarı Managing Director Ankara, 14 November 2006