Avrupa Trakya Turk Federasyonu Fiideration der West-Thrakien Tiirken in Europa Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe apconciiKii Ottoo-novOict Toijpicow Nu- mai; OpaKri; Federation des Tures de Thrace Occidentale en Europe NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United. Nations Member of the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) of the E'uropean Union Agency for Fundamental Rights Member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) Human Rights Council Forum on Minority Issues Fourth session Geneva, 29-30 November 2011 Minority women and effective participation in economic, social and culfural life Name of the Organization: Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe Name of (Main) Contact Person: Mrs. Melek. Kirmaci Arik E-mail: melek.kirrnaci@abttf.org, info[ abttf.org The UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities states that persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life, and, the UN Declaration of the Right to Development recognizes a comprehensive economic, social, cultural and political process, which aims at the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population and of all individuals on the basis of their active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of benefits resulting there from. National or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities across many parts of Member States have been and are still being excluded from full and effective participation in economic life, and they are often poorly represented in economic, social and cultural life of their country. In response to the need for the wider protection of minority rights in Europe, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities stipulates that the Parties shall create the conditions necessary for the effec= tive participation of persons belonging to national minorities, in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them(Article 15). The legislation and policy-making processes on the full and effective participation of minorities in economic life often fail to address the needs of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, in most countries due to the lack of participation in the design and imple mentation. Positive measures or affirmative action to remedy the inequalities experience by persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities has not often bridged the gap be tween the ma jority and persons belonging to these minorities. Positive measures or affirmative action which aim to address inequality that prevents persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities from meaningful and effective participation in economic life are often imperfect due to the non-recognition of minorities by Member States in their territory. The recognition of the existence of minority gratips is important for full participation of minorities in society and development, and for the full realization of their rights.