This year will see politicians debating a new constitution in Turkey, to replace the 1980s military constitution. A draft is just about to be published, and there are already many leaks.

Headscarf ban will attract most of the attention, but I wanted to highlight some other points that are worthy of debate and consideration:

"Provisions on children and women: For the first time, the draft constitution lists children’s rights in a separate section. Children will be protected by provisions included in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The draft text also includes provisions on the status of women. A provision that foresees “positive discrimination” toward women who need protection in the social and political spheres appears in the draft constitution. "

BRAVO! Hope it stays in the final.

Marion,here is another article from October: Women condemn Turkey constitution

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7025294.stm

Good point, worth thinking about. I was really cheering the inclusion of children's rights.

I will post a translation of the draft about women as soon as it is available so we can all see it and weigh it up.

Q: How far should positive discrimination go before it becomes a negative thing in the cause of women's rights.

A step in the right direction. What do they say? A journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.

This isn't meant as a comment on the Turkish constitution but a remark on ALL government constitutions......Does anyone else here feel offended by the fact that the rights of some humans have to be constitutionally guaranteed? Shouldn't the rights of ALL humans be guaranteed....and why do we need it in writing? Shouldn't it be an inherent human right? That is the thing about "Woman's Rights", "Children's Rights"....it makes me feel like I am not human in the first place. Until it is acknowledged by ALL humans that we ALL have rights...the SAME rights....there will always be struggles, wars, famine and disease.

This is always my thougth of the day....