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Short Summary |
The way in which women are able to exercise and
experience their citizenship in Turkey depends on their class, religion
and the extent of their religious devotion. Citizenship in Turkey
has inherent gender biases. Women, who bear the brunt of parenting
responsibilities and domestic chores cannot take full advantage of
the rights citizenship brings, even if they have them. In a country
where men own 73.13 percent of inter-household property and women
own 8. 71 percent the formality of having equal rights to inheritance
as equal citizens means little. The article draws on statistics of
literacy and labour participation, as well as three examples of women
in Turkey (the Carpet Weavers of Central Anatolia, Islamists, and
Feminists), to demonstrate the wide variety of ways that citizenship
can be used and experienced by Turkish women. Yesim Arat is a professor
of Political science and international relations at the Bogazici University
in Istanbul.
In S. Joseph and S. Slyomovics (eds), Women and Power in the Middle
East, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. For a copy
of this publication contact: Penn Press, e-mail: cservs@plymbridge.com;
University of Pennsylvania Press, Hopkins Fulfillment Services,
P.O. Box 50370, Hampden Station, Baltimore, MD 21211
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