There Are No Barriers Before Political Rights Of Turkish Women, Erdogan

ANKARA - Prime Minister and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday there were no barriers before the political rights of Turkish women today.
Erdogan delivered a speech at "the 4th International Women`s Convention in Local Administrations" held in capital Ankara.
During his speech, Erdogan said Turkey was actually one of the first countries in the world which granted political rights to women.
Erdogan said the number of women MPs in the Turkish parliament rose up to 50 from 24 after the latest general elections held in Turkey in July 2007.
"During the local elections to be held in the country in March 2009, we want to increase the number of women mayors, municipal council members and provincial council members much more," he said.
Erdogan emphasized the importance of women`s role in politics as well.
"Politics, democracy and administration without women would be a major defect not only for women, but for the whole society," he said.
(DO-EÖ)