Abstract:

In contemporary societies, gender differences is one of the most important mechanisms that produce inequality. In addition to problems experienced in women’s participation in social and economic life, there are also significant problems in terms of political participation of women in a number of countries. This study aims to examine the problem of under-representation of women in local government from the perspective of a relatively small number of women reeves who are elected in villages, neighborhoods, and active in Turkey’s local politics. Based on a fieldwork with women reeves participated in the Women's Reeves Academy Project organized by the Bandırma Reeves Society and the Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Local Administrations this paper explores the problems of women's political participation and conditions of success at the local politics in Turkey. 

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