Kadın/Woman 2000, Journal for Women's Studies

Characters of Suat Derviş between the Social and Individual: Gendered Bodies and Embodied Emotions from Darkness to Nothingness

Seran Demiral (Author) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

In the context of the fact that canonical literary works are predominantly formed within Western literature and that even the critiques are mainly coming from Western feminists, this paper primarily explores the potentials of canonization in Turkish literature. The study examines Suat Derviş's works, drawing parallels between Derviş's name, personality, and struggle, and how characters from Kara Kitap to Hiç are portrayed in terms of their class, social, and gender backgrounds. The article discusses the relationships between Derviş's characters and the embodiment of their bodies by questioning the possibility of canonization of feminist literature and women's narratives within Suat Derviş's literature.

Nomadic Women in the Late Ottoman Anatolia According to British Travelogues and Otto-man Archival Sources

Erdal Çiftçi (Author) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

It is a fact that representation of no-madic women in the Ottoman historiog-raphy is quite insufficient and left un-touched. Although there are anthropolog-ical and sociological studies on nomadic women, Ottoman historiography’s defi-ciency on this topic is due to many multi-faceted reasons. In this study, a signifi-cant and modest contribution will be made to the literature within the frame-work of some rarely found information regarding the nomadic women’s repre-sentation. Although Ottoman archival sources can provide limited data, some archival documents show important insights on the issue. Also, some data on the versality of nomadic women’s repre-sentation will be shared in the light of the writings of British male travelers’ direct observations despite their orientalist and modernist prejudices on the social life in late Ottoman Anatolia. Based on these accounts and some Ottoman archival records in the last period of the empire, the diversity and versatility of the politi-cal and social status of nomadic women in their own public sphere will be dis-cussed. Within the framework of the cri-tique and analysis of these data, this study, away from over-generalizations, aims to contribute to the other studies on the role of the nomadic women.

Women Representations in Spaces of ‘‘The Handmaid's Tale’’ Series

Zeynep Seymen, Meltem Eranıl (Author) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The series ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ refers to the power relations between the body and social structure, demonstrating the relation-ship of domination in which both societal norms and power dynamics shape an individu-al's body. Therefore, representations within the show's setting play a significant role in how individuals' bodies are perceived and utilized, concerning factors such as gender, class, race, and others. The research aims to examine the representations of women in fictional interior spaces of a digital media series which will contribute to many disciplines, gender studies, cinematography, and interior architecture.

The research focuses on the Waterford House from the first season of ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ as a means of cinematic spatial analysis. The analysis of the set design, spatial elements, arrangements, actions, symbolic meanings, the reflection of social norms in the framing, and the theoretical backgrounds of the characters all incorporate cinematographic language. The study's goal is to examine the meanings at-tached to cinematic space to revitalize varied norms of women's representations and norma-tive stereotypes of the community.

The results of this study's spatial analysis will shed light on both the representation of gender roles depicted within the fictional culture, time, and location of the series and contribute to future studies on gender and space, considering the prevailing norms of today and beyond. By emphasizing the limita-tions faced by women in social life, it is hoped that it would contribute to raising awareness of women's rights and gender inequality in society.

Awareness of Women Employees on Safety Culture and Oc-cupational Health and Safety: A Study on the Textile Industry

Merve Okur, Adem Yurtsever (Author) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

In this study, it is aimed to reveal the per-spective of women employees on Occupa-tional Health and Safety (OHS) practices in the textile sector where there is intense women employment, a dangerous and labor-intensive sector. In this context, a questionnaire prepared with a 5-point Likert type scale with 35 questions was applied to 180 women employees in a textile factory. By evaluating the knowledge and experience of women employees in terms of OHS, the state of OHS culture in today's working conditions has been tried to be revealed from the perspective of female employees. As a result of the study, it was determined that 54% of the employees think that “the laws enacted for female employees should be improved", while 49% of them think that “night shifts are more challenging for female employees compared to male employees". When evaluated in general, it has been revealed that the safety culture and OHS awareness of female employees are insufficient.

A Discourse Analysis of Women Sexuality in the Lyrics of an Anonymous Turkish Folk Song

Süleyman Kasap (Author) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

This qualitative study examines the gender dynamics and societal expectations embedded within a traditional song and its associated story. Focusing on the themes of virginity and women purity, the research investigates the power structures, control, and cultural implications reflected in the narrative. Through a comprehensive literature review, we explore existing scholarship on gender studies and societal norms surrounding virginity. The song and story are analyzed, highlighting the depiction of the character Nazife, a fifteen-year-old girl whose worth is tied to her virginity. Drawing upon gender theories, feminist theory and intersectionality, the study critically deconstructs the societal norms and power dynamics present in the narrative. The research uncovers a patriarchal notion that women sexuality is controlled by men, who act as gatekeepers of a woman's virtue. Moreover, the study examines the social stigma and shaming faced by women who do not conform to traditional expectations of purity. By analyzing the cultural and historical context, the study provides insights into the gendered dynamics prevalent during the song's origin. This research contributes to the understanding of how societal constructs impact women's agency and the importance of challenging gender norms to achieve gender equality.

Das Patriarchat der Dinge. Warum die Welt Frauen Nicht Passt

Müzeyyen Karabulut (Author) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200