The Republic, in its entirety, is a “WOMEN'S REVOLUTION”

As October 29th is approaching, Altınbaş University Publications published the book titled “Atatürk on the Journey of Freedom to Dance, Dance to Freedom” in the series of “Gift Books for the 100th Anniversary of the Republic”. The author of the book is Dr. Gülhan Seyhun, Lecturer at Altınbaş University, Department of Common Courses. Dr. Seyhun, who says “Loving Atatürk was my destiny, now it is my greatest will”, has two master's degrees in Microbiology and History of the Republic of Türkiye, and a PhD in Atatürk's Principles and History of Turkish Revolution. With her multifaceted identity as an author, nurse, soldier and lecturer, she deals with Atatürk in this book.

The content of the book, which begins and ends with poems, is also very rich. Atatürk's personality, his service for peace, his love for children, animals and trees, his command, his nationalism and most of all his struggle for gender equality are presented through the intersections with the author's own life. The author, with his smooth and fluent Turkish, drags the reader along, influences, teaches, sometimes makes them laugh and sometimes makes them think. In the book, it is emphasized that the words, attitudes and behaviors of the leaders who have a say in state administration regarding their perspectives on the world and their perception of women are effective in determining the place of women in society, and it is revealed how Atatürk's conscious efforts, shaped by his aspirations and perception of women, made Turkish women visible. Author Gülhan Seyhun says, “If I exist in this geography, I owe it to Atatürk and I am trying to repay my debt to him with this book.”

While there are regimes with the word “republic” in their names that ignore women, the Republic of Türkiye, which Atatürk was the architect of, aims for equality between women and men in rights and freedoms with a democratic and secular understanding.

Turkish Women in the historical process

Author Dr. Gülhan Seyhun says that one of the biggest factors affecting the perception of women in society is belief, or rather, the interpretations made through beliefs. The perception of women in Turks was shaped by the pre-Islamic belief in Shamanism and they acted together with men with a common understanding of life. In this coexistence, one was not seen as superior to the other or as an entity to be suppressed. In fact, in the early years of the Ottoman Empire, there were no women running away from men or conservatism about hijab, and women were not yet confined to the home. Over time, an understanding that subordinated women to men began to prevail, withdrawing women from social life, hiding them and confining them to the home. Although village life was not conducive to this confinement, the living spaces of men and women were separated as haremlik and selamlık in urban centers. In early twentieth century Istanbul, a woman without a marriage certificate could not even ride in the same car with her husband. Among these women who could not look at the world freely, the women of well-to-do families, especially the women of the palace, enjoyed a certain level of prosperity and educational opportunities, while the others were condemned to lag behind in every aspect of life and accepted the life offered to them without questioning it. These acceptances, which were also attributed sacredness, became traditionalized and taboo, and these taboos were legalized by edicts. This hiding of women in social spaces was reflected in all areas of life, especially in education and business life.

“It made women visible in society”

Atatürk's greatest motivation was his spirit that did not give in to injustice. At a young age, she rebelled against the injustices done to women and idealized this rebellion on Turkish women. The most prominent point where he differed from his friends with whom he started the National Struggle was their support for the caliphate and the sultanate. However, the reflection of this situation on society was on “women”. Women were not wanted to go beyond the conventional assumptions.

Today, when the effects of sexist approaches are clearly understood in incidents of violence against women, Atatürk overcame the stereotypical sexist approaches that existed a hundred years ago with his magnificent will and became a role model for the society as a practitioner of gender equality.

Atatürk knew that he had to bring new models of men and women into the new society. What he really wanted to do was a mental change. In order to speed up the process, he traveled around the country with his wife Latife Hanım. During these trips, some of those who accompanied or welcomed him wanted to organize separate meetings for women and separate meetings for men, but he did not allow such separation. In her speeches to the public, she gave advice on how women should be, setting an example, encouraging and trying to persuade.

At that time, men and women could not sit together. Mrs. Latife had a reception day for women on Saturdays. One day she and Atatürk decided as follows: While the women would come and sit down, Atatürk would enter, followed by a few other gentlemen. They put the plan into practice, and just like that, men and women began to sit together in the evenings.

In 1923, men and women watched a movie together for the first time.

One day in Izmir in 1923, Atatürk and Latife Hanım went to the Ankara Cinema. When Atatürk entered and sat in the box, he saw that everyone was male, he asked why there were no women, and when he was told that women were only admitted on Tuesdays, he asked that the women who had come to meet him be admitted immediately. Women entered the theater with applause and for the first time, men and women watched a movie together.

Bedia Muvahhit's first appearance on stage was in 1923 in the presence of Atatürk.

Muslim women were not yet allowed to perform. Darülbedayi was on tour in Izmir in those days. The actors Behzat, Şadi and Muvahhit visit Atatürk at the Uşakizade Mansion to invite him to their plays, and during this visit they plan to raise the issue of Muslim women performing on stage. However, before they dare to bring up the subject, Atatürk brings up exactly what they want and continues his speech as follows: “...Darülbedayi is a very popular and lovely flower in the artistic life of this country. With the participation of Turkish ladies, this flower will bloom even more and become more lovely.” And Bedia Muvahhit makes her debut on stage on Sunday, July 31, 1923, in the presence of Atatürk.

"Who would have thought that revolution meant laughing and dancing. Who would have thought that revolution is to make us laugh and dance!"

Atatürk, whose free spirit was reflected in his body, learned to dance at a young age. Dancing had entered the social life of Istanbul, but had not yet been seen in Ankara. Atatürk first started dancing with those closest to him. He was teaching, encouraging, challenging, having fun and entertaining. In addition to his strong personality, he sometimes used the power of knowing that people would not be able to object to the prestige he had gained in society. In a society where there were those who wanted to isolate women from men, who saw even her smile as too much, this situation turned into gains for women. Dance, which was seen as a lowly occupation in the society, quickly gained a respectable position. Atatürk had paved the way for women's freedom through dance. Writer Gülhan Seyhun shares her feelings about dance: “Who would have thought that the revolution was about laughing and dancing. Who would have thought that the revolution was to make us laugh, to make us dance!”

“Turkish women returned to their essence with the Republic.”

In this book, Dr. Gülhan Seyhun from Altınbaş University emphasizes that the Republic provided women with equal citizenship, the right to vote and be elected, and the right to benefit from all levels of education with coeducation, and that this situation is guaranteed by law, but it is not easy for women to take part in social life in a society that considers women as a being who should not leave the house. According to her, with the Republic, Turkish women have been shedding their centuries-old roles and returning to their essence. The main force behind this change was Atatürk, a leader who explained, persuaded, pushed, encouraged, set an example and guided.

“The Republic was entirely a women's revolution.”

The women encouraged by the Republic grew up, believing in reason and science, became teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, lawyers, scientists, artists, athletes, mothers, and most importantly, they became themselves. They grew up and became millions!