Gender Politics and the Struggle for Equality in Turkey

Abstract

Examining gender ideologies and politics since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, this chapter follows a loose chronological order and analyzes policies and practices that discriminate on the basis of gender, struggles against such discrimination, and major progressive reforms under four periods: (1) the early decades of the republic, 1923–1945; (2) the multiparty era and class politics, 1946–1980; (3) identity politics and the reform era, 1981–2001; and (4) the AKP era, since 2002. While the focus is on domestic politics and actors, by highlighting important external connections and influences, the review contextualizes gender politics in an international context. The chapter intends to show that gender politics in Turkey have been volatile; adopted by male politicians under pressure or to achieve other goals, progressive policies remained limited and were not fully implemented; women’s political organization and mobilization were critical for progressive change; and, the authoritarian turn of the AKP threatens the advancements made before 2010 and has already caused damaging reversals in some areas.