Feminism in Türkiye

I believe I have already told you that when I gave lectures on women's suffrage before the war, I shamed French women by telling them that if they did not move, Turkish women would surely vote before them. Then we learned that the Muslim women of India and Azerbaijan had obtained the right to vote, and finally we heard great news: the wife of Mustapha Kemal was elected to the Grand National Assembly . But the French still await the goodwill of the Senate to exercise some influence in their country. I had therefore, alas! That too right.

It seems, moreover, that a feminist party is being formed in Constantinople, do not be surprised because many Muslims are aware of what is happening in our country, while we know nothing about their true situation. . For many people, the Turkish woman—like all her sisters—lives at the bottom of the harem, occupied only with dressing and making up, without any knowledge of what goes on outside the narrow domain of her personal apartments. What a mistake ! Before 1911 the review Le Droit des Femmes had several subscribers in Constantinople, notably Selma Riga, intelligent, educated and eager to work for the emancipation of all women.

It is certain that the last Turkish revolution was the cause of a great movement of female emancipation. Having worked for the transformation of their country, women do not accept being excluded from the administration of the State, they believe that independence must extend to all without distinction of sex, and they even declare it essential their participation in the definitive organization of Turkey. From the civil point of view, their situation, at least as far as their property is concerned, is very superior—would you believe it! — to that of the French woman. On this subject, I think I can do no better than to transcribe in full the information sent to me in recent days by a reader:

Ottoman law does not recognize any matrimonial regime, the Ottoman spouses each retain the administration and enjoyment of their own property.

All agreements entered into between spouses or future spouses against this principle are radically null.

The Ottoman woman enjoys the fullness of her civil rights, obtaining marital authorization is not imposed on her under any circumstances; she can, without the authorization and without the assistance of her husband or anyone else, buy and sell all movables and buildings, lend and borrow, collect all movable or immovable estates, receive all sums, give receipts, even make all liberalities.

The property of the Ottoman woman is never subject to employment or re-employment, this formality is also completely unknown in Turkey.

Let us not hasten, however, to envy the fate of Muslim women. Let us remember that the father, the brother, or failing that any other male relative, has the right to marry a girl even still attached to her mother's breast, for the sole purpose of receiving the dowry that the future husband must pay. Admittedly, these barbaric customs are gradually disappearing, but it is deplorable to think that such facts are still possible. We do not doubt that in the Turkish feminist program there are a number of civil demands alongside political demands.

The laws will follow the customs which are modified. Already many Muslim women have rejected the veil and come out with their faces uncovered. Revolt? Maybe ! But against a custom imposed by men, and not against a religious commandment. The freed news pointed out that Muhammad did not impose the veil that his own sister did not wear!

Let's hope that one of these days, the new Ottoman deputy will come and plead our cause before our adversaries in the Senate.

Marla Verone
President of the French League
for women's rights.