Kadına Karşı Her Türlü Ayrımcılığın Önlenmesi Sözleşmesi (CEDAW) m 2/f Işığında 6102 sayılı Türk Ticaret Kanunu’ndaki Cinsiyetçi İfadelerin Değiştirilmesi Gerekliliği Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme
Sevda Bora ÇınarCinsiyet eşitliğinin sağlanması ve kadına yönelik ayrımcılığa son verilmesi adına, ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde pek çok çalışma ve hukuki düzenlemeler yapılmaktadır. Ayrımcılık ve fırsat eşitsizliği, dini, tarihi, sosyal, politik ve kültürel kökleri olan, önyargılarla kuşatılmış eril zihniyetin topluma dayattığı cinsiyet kalıplarından beslenmektedir. Öyle ki kadına yönelik ayrımcılığı normalleştiren zihniyet, kelimeler, deyimler, atasözleri, belli kavram ve uygulamalar yoluyla dilde yaşamakta, önyargı ve ayrımcılık içeren tutum ve davranışlar kelimelere aktarılarak, dile, kültüre ve dahası hukuk metinlerine kadar taşınabilmektedir. Türkiye’nin de taraf olduğu ve bir bakıma kadının insan haklarının düzenlendiği, Kadına Karşı Her Türlü Ayrımcılığın Önlenmesi Sözleşmesi (CEDAW) m 2/f hükmünde, ayrımcılığın dilde başladığına vurgu yapılarak, taraf devletlerden, mevzuatlarındaki ayrımcılık ve cinsiyetçilik taşıyan ifadeleri değiştirmeleri ya da kaldırmaları, yerlerine eşitlikçi ve kapsayıcı bir dille kadın erkek eşitliğini koruyan ve güçlendiren düzenlemeler getirmeleri istenmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Türk Ticaret Kanunu (TTK), CEDAW m 2/f ışığında inceleme konusu edilmektedir. Nitekim ticaret alanında, iş adamı, adam çalıştırma ve gemi adamı gibi kavramlar üzerine inşa edilmiş, kapsamlı bir ticari mevzuat ve hukuk uygulaması bulunmaktadır. Benzer şekilde Türk hukuk mevzuatı genel olarak incelendiğinde insan ya da kişi kavramı yerine cinsiyetçi bir söylem olan “adam” ifadesinin sıklıkla metinlerde kullanıldığı dikkat çekmektedir. Açıkça erkeği, örtülü olarak ise kadını işaret eden cinsiyetçi kavramlar yerine, kapsayıcı ve eşitlikçi kavramlar tercih edilmelidir. CEDAW’a taraf olunması ve sözleşme hükümlerinin TC Anayasası (AY) m 90/5 hükmü gereği kanun üstünde olması karşısında, Türk Ticaret Kanunu’nun cinsiyetçi söylemlerden arındırılması, anayasanın bir gereğidir. Eşitlikçi kavram önerilerini de içeren bu çalışmayla, küreselleşme ve dijitalleşmeyle dönüşen ve gelişen ticarette, TTK’nın yeri ve etkisinin güçlendirilmesi için kadın erkek eşitliğini vurgulayan ve fırsat eşitsizliğinin önüne geçmeyi hedefleyen düzenlemeler yapılması gerekliliği hatırlatılmaktadır.
An Evaluation of the Necessity to Modify Sexist Expressions in the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 in Light of Art. 2/f of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Sevda Bora ÇınarTo ensure gender equality and end the discrimination against women, many studies and legal arrangements are being made at the national and international levels. Discrimination and inequality of opportunity are fueled by gender stereotypes imposed on society by the masculine mentality, which is surrounded by prejudices with religious, historical, social, political, and cultural roots. Thus, the mentality that normalizes discrimination against women is embedded in the language through words, idioms, proverbs, certain concepts, and practices. Moreover, attitudes and behaviors involving prejudice and discrimination can be transferred to language, culture, and even legal texts through words. Art. 2/f of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to which Turkey is a party and which, in a sense, regulates the human rights of women, emphasizes that discrimination begins with language. It requires state parties to modify or abolish discriminatory and sexist expressions in their legislation and to replace them with regulations that protect and strengthen the equality of women and men with egalitarian and inclusive language. In this study, the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) is analyzed in the light of Art 2/f of CEDAW. This is because comprehensive commercial legislation and legal practices exist in the field of trade, which are built on concepts such as businessman and seaman. Similarly, when the Turkish legal legislation is analyzed in general, the frequency with which the sexist term “man” is substituted for the concepts of human being or person is notable. In lieu of such sexist concepts that refer explicitly to men and implicitly to women, inclusive and egalitarian concepts should be preferred. The TCC must be devoid of sexist language because Turkey is a signatory to CEDAW and Art. 90/5 of the Turkish Constitution places the convention’s provisions above the law. This study, which also includes proposals for egalitarian concepts, draws attention to the necessity of making regulations that emphasize the equality of women and men and aim to prevent inequality of opportunity in order to strengthen the place and impact of the TCC in trade, which is transforming and developing with globalization and digitalization.
Behind every injustice and malpractice reflected in language and actions, there is an erroneous prejudice and a traditionalized cultural structure that make them sustainable. Likewise, egalitarian and fair practices. Discrimination starts with language, and the culture and social network shaped by language permeate the attitudes and behaviors of society. Unquestionably, legal texts are the most important texts that must be purified from sexist and discriminatory language. Art. 2/f of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) requires States Parties to the Convention to eliminate all words, concepts, expressions, and forms of expression that constitute discrimination against women in all types of legal regulations and legal practices, to replace them with concepts formulated in a more egalitarian and inclusive legal language, or to abolish such regulations altogether.
When the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) is analyzed in terms of sexist expressions that foster discrimination against women and cause inequality of opportunity, a sexist conceptual preference that implicitly refers to human beings but explicitly emphasizes being a man, such as businessmen, seamen, and men employed, stands out. The emphasis on being a “man” as opposed to a human being or a person renders the language of the law, and thus the practice of law, sexist because it focuses on men and marginalizes women. However, in Turkish commercial practice, women also manage companies, become merchants, work on ships, and engage in transportation. In lieu of masculine expressions such as businessman and seaman, expressions that are more egalitarian, inclusive, and inclusive should be preferred. In fact, considering the technological transformation and the development of trade, it may be prudent to consider that the framework concepts should not even refer to being human.
The language must observe equality; however, it is a grave error to think that a perfect legal language will immediately eliminate inequalities in practice. In addition to recognizing and protecting rights in an egalitarian language, equal opportunities for the exercise and functioning of these rights must be secured. In order for this to occur, a social transformation and a mentality shift must be fostered. The implementation of egalitarian language is a necessary and prioritized step in initiating this transformation. However, it must be followed up, and equality must be protected and strengthened through social policies and support, not only in the text of the law but also in the application of the law.
Sustainability, progress and development are only possible in societies where all individual traits are embraced with respect and understanding, and where differences can be carried without shame or pride, not as flaws but as wealth. A more just, egalitarian, and humane order must be agreed upon for not only women but also every element of society and the environment to be liberated and to receive their share of the culture of respect they deserve. Each member of society is responsible for contributing to the development of this egalitarian, mutually-respectful environment. Preferring egalitarian and fair concepts in language when speaking, focusing on the continuation of the activity without discriminating between men and women, and acting in a business-focused, not gender-focused, manner are important steps that can have a significant impact. The inclusion of women “as women” in the workforce, without masculinizing them, keeping them under pressure, or expecting them to behave like men, is crucial for the development of trade and society. The power of words for mindset transformation should not be ignored. Words should not be used to capitalize on women’s labor and productivity, but to emphasize the importance of equal representation and contribution of women and men, and to ensure respect for women’s differences. As activist Helen Todd emphasizes, “Bread for all, and Roses, too!”