Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seldağ GÜNEŞ CEYLAN Gazi University Faculty of Law Ankara - Türkiye THE CHANGING POSITION OF TURKISH WOMEN

Throughout the history, many variables have affected the rights of Turkish women. Social and political improvement, legal background, economical freedom are the most important factors which circumscribe the development of women rights in Turkey and all around the world, as well.

TURKISH WOMEN IN THREE DIFFERENT TIME LINES DURING THE OTTOMAN PERIOD AFTER THE FOUNDATION OF THE REPUBLIC TODAY

TURKISH WOMEN IN THE OTTOMAN PERIOD In the Ottoman period, Turkish women lost their higher position in social structure in comparison with the early Turkish communities. After the early 15th century, Ottoman State expanded very rapidly and turned into a powerful Empire, while the old Turkish customs were forgotten and the social position of women deteriorated.

NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES FOR WOMEN In the 19th century, some newspapers and magazines about women and women rights started to be printed. 1869: First Women’s Magazine “Terakki-i Mukadderat”, 48 volumes 1886: “Şükûfezar”, The owner and the all staff were women : “Hanımlara Mahsus Gazete”, women editor, 604 volumes

WOMEN IN THE AGE OF REORGANIZATION At the end of 19th Century girl’s education was sponsored by the State In 1900 the first women’s association was founded The 2nd Constitution of the Ottoman Empire (1908): Women’s education necessary Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the status of women began to be improved to some extent. In this century, some legal changes were made in favor of women.

TURKISH WOMEN DURING THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE After the First World War and during the Turkey’s War of Independence ( ), Turkish women played an important role. They founded their own units and sometimes fought in the ranks. As an acknowledgement of their bravery, courage, devotion to their national cause and the great role they performed in the history of the nation, Atatürk decided to restore women their rights which once their ancestors had.

TURKISH WOMEN AFTER THE FOUNDATION OF THE REPUBLIC With the declaration of the Turkish Republic in 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a sudden break was made with the old values and concepts, which kept women in an inferior status. The reforms of that period gave women complete equality with men and with their European counterparts.

WESTERNISATION IN THE 1920S European clothes obligatory Latin alphabet Western classical music was thought first time, in the Istanbul’s Conservatory Right to vote Right to be elected to the Parliament Legal equality between man and woman Right to own properties

“Everything we see in the world is the creative work of women” ATATÜRK

THE CODIFICATION OF SWISS CIVIL CODE - (ZGB) The codification of the Swiss Civil Code and Code of Obligations represented a profound change in the social life of Turkey. By this adoption, Turkey entered into the legal system of the continental Europe, which was based on Roman law. Abolished Polygamy, Equal rights for women in divorce, custody, inheritance

TURKISH CIVIL CODE created a privilege for women beyond its era after the Republic it was the first time that women had their own rights in the written codes Turkey had the world's first women supreme court judge

TURKISH CIVIL CODE – 2002 Turkish women’s movement became stronger in the 1980s After 1980s there was need to make some necessary arrangements in TCC In 1994 a commission was formed to renovate TCC In 2002 the new TCC came into force

TURKISH CIVIL CODE – 2002 Most of the changes were on family relations and gender equality The legal age of marriage became 17 for both men and women which was before 17 for men and 15 for women Full equality of men and women emphasized, with some exceptions Family was defined as a union, based on equal partnership

MARRIAGE UNDER TCC Marriage is a registered official event Religious marriages can be done only after the official ceremony Before, the married woman must take the surname of her husband after the official marriage The new TCC indicates that the wife can use her own surname only with her husband's surname

In the last years, many Governmental and non-Governmental, internal and international organizations have been founded to implement women rights and to prevent gender discrimination