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A brief overview of the Turkish policy framework suggests that the intersection between migration and gender regimes is confined to mainly the debates on irregular migration and trafficking of women. Moreover, changes in the citizenship regime, laws governing visas, residence and work permits also brought matters concerning gender issues on the agenda. Moreover, preliminary research suggests that the transformation of legislation is increasing, diversifying and the levels and actors for implementing the legislation are multiplying.
However, there seems to be a need to connect all these efforts with one step further toward intercultural cooperation. The case of Turkey is likely to offer interesting evidence particularly from a perspective of a candidate country to the EU whereby the legislation on migration and gender equality are changing at the same time. Moreover, as a country which is increasingly becoming a country of transit and destination, the issues around gender and migration are capturing the center stage at the same time. However, it is not possible to note that the link between the two are systematically and effectively established and pursued. The sporadic efforts pursued by the NGOs point to increasing awareness and activism in this field, which require further research. The policies formulated seem to constitute reactive policy formulations rather than proactive policy initiatives. The relations with the sending countries also seem to remain at the level of bilateral agreements concerning readmission rather than mutual cooperation.
