Women'S Political Representation in Iran and Turkey: Demanding a Seat at the Table

Mona Tajili examines the activities and strategies of women's rights groups in Iran and Turkey to understand the gendered politics of autocratic regimes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 26 February 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Women in many Muslim-majority countries have achieved surprising success despite the significant constraints imposed by conservative gender ideology and authoritarian political parties and systems. Mona Tajili examines the activities and strategies of women's rights groups across the ideological spectrum in Iran and Turkey to explore how they have negotiated with political elites to bolster female political representation and identify the conditions that stimulate greater support to ease women's path to political office. This study is important to help our understanding of the gendered politics of autocratic regimes.

Women in many Muslim-majority countries have faced significant challenges due to conservative gender ideology and authoritarian political parties and systems. However, some women's rights groups have been able to achieve surprising success in these environments. Mona Tajili's study examines the activities and strategies of women's rights groups in Iran and Turkey to explore how they have negotiated with political elites to bolster female political representation and identify the conditions that stimulate greater support to ease women's path to political office.

One of the key factors that have contributed to women's success in these countries is the presence of a strong civil society. Civil society organizations have played a critical role in advocating for women's rights and promoting gender equality. They have organized protests, rallies, and campaigns to raise awareness about women's issues and have worked to build support for women's political participation.

Another factor that has contributed to women's success is the presence of a strong feminist movement. Feminist groups have been able to challenge traditional gender roles and promote gender equality. They have worked to promote women's access to education, employment, and political representation and have challenged the patriarchal structures that have been in place for centuries.

Despite these challenges, women's rights groups in Iran and Turkey have been able to achieve significant success. For example, the Women's Rights Movement in Iran has been able to secure significant gains in women's political representation. In 2016, women were elected to the parliament for the first time in the country's history, and in 2017, they were elected to the presidency for the first time.

In Turkey, the Women's Rights Movement has also been successful in securing significant gains in women's political representation. In 2017, women were elected to the parliament for the first time in the country's history, and in 2018, they were elected to the presidency for the first time.

However, women's rights groups in these countries face significant challenges. For example, they are often targeted by the government and by conservative religious groups. They are also often denied access to education, employment, and political representation.

To address these challenges, women's rights groups have developed a range of strategies. For example, they have worked to build alliances with other civil society organizations and with political parties. They have also worked to promote women's rights through the media and through social media.

In addition, women's rights groups have been able to use international pressure to promote their cause. For example, the United Nations has been a strong advocate for women's rights in Iran and Turkey, and has provided funding and support to women's rights groups in these countries.

Despite these challenges, women's rights groups in Iran and Turkey have been able to achieve surprising success. Their success has been due to a combination of a strong civil society, a strong feminist movement, and international pressure.

In conclusion, women in many Muslim-majority countries have achieved surprising success despite the significant constraints imposed by conservative gender ideology and authoritarian political parties and systems. Mona Tajili's study examines the activities and strategies of women's rights groups in Iran and Turkey to explore how they have negotiated with political elites to bolster female political representation and identify the conditions that stimulate greater support to ease women's path to political office. This study is important to help our understanding of the gendered politics of autocratic regimes.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474499477