The Politics of Implementing Women’s Rights in Turkey

Abstract

Since the founding of the Republic in 1923, the most important movement in Turkey has been toward westernization. The content of westernization has not only been economic and political, but also cultural, where the role of women within the society has assumed significance as a symbol of progress toward this endeavour. The reforms involving women’s rights were some of the most important, if not the most important attempts to break away from the Muslim world and turn toward the West. The major reforms that led to full citizenship for women, abolition of polygamy, equal rights in divorce and inheritance, and the granting of all civic equalities including political rights to women, were recognized as major accomplishments. Despite efforts by the state and the westernizing middle classes that adopted this new western ideal, the majority of the people retained their traditional lifestyles and perspectives. Throughout the twentieth century, westernized life styles infiltrated large sections of the population. Improved economic prosperity and increasing relations with the western world led to higher levels of education and a tendency to emulate the middle class. Equally significant sections of the population did not accept these western ideals of modernization and democratization, however. Some groups resisted and organized to oppose westernization.