Now in Turkey, a woman can leave her last name after getting married

A decision of the Constitutional Court has entered into force, repealing the provision of the Turkish Civil Code on the mandatory change of a woman's surname after marriage. Now, married women can only use their last names. Previously, women were required to take their husband's last name or add it to their maiden name.

Nazan Moroglu, coordinator of the Istanbul Union of Women's Organizations and lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of MIF, said: "The surname is an important element in determining a person's identity and is an absolute personal right of every person. The recognition in the law of the advantage of a male surname over a female one leads to discrimination against women and inequality between spouses."