If we were to draw a Turkish woman who jumped out of the times when the Republic was just being established and teleported to today’s Turkey, what do you think she would be surprised about in the country right now? We wanted to stage this for you and an interesting scenario emerged!
In our country in the last hours until 2024 Things that have changed in 100 years In order to look at it together, we compared two Turkish women from different periods by drawing a slightly surreal scenario. Would you like to see the things that have changed since 1923 through the eyes of a woman from 1923?
Afife, who lived only the first days of the Republic, today’s Turkey Look what happens when you teleport to Istanbul…
There is no trace of Istiklal Street in the 1920s.
Istiklal Street, the heart of Istanbul throughout history, has been the center of both political and cultural events. Even though the years have passed, the only thing that hasn’t changed seems to be the energy of this place. This street, which was open to traffic in the 1920s and was not only for pedestrians, is the most crowded area of Istanbul today. We thought that this area, which smells of history and makes us feel the change, was a great place for an encounter.
Faced with the sight of the street filled only with people, Afife suddenly looks around with great surprise. Various people aroundshops, an incredible crowd… He is stunned and records the images of the people around him in his memory. Either this is not Istanbul or the people have changed a lot!
Afife came across a pair of eyes that noticed her among all the crowd. It doesn’t belong in 2023 It seems like he shows it with the timid looks he throws around and his ‘weird’ dressing style.
Let’s bring Sinem, who lives in today’s Turkey, closer to the woman who attracts attention with her strange appearance and engage her in a conversation.
While Sinem secretly wonders the reason for Afife’s appearance, they have a sincere conversation with her, even though they have met for the first time. Afife’s confused looks around, It must have caught Sinem’s attention because she can’t help but wonder where this elegant lady came from.
Two Turkish women from different periods have a deep conversation after they meet.
The only difference between these two women is that they belong to different periods. Sinem, who guides Afife who is lost in Istiklal, encounters Afife’s strange question while taking her phone out of her pocket:
– “What does this weird box do? Why do you keep holding it in your hand all the time? I’ve seen it in everyone’s hand around here!”
Sinem responds with a smile: “It’s a phone. “We use it to communicate with people, get information, and even take photos.”
Afife opened her eyes and said: “So with this little thing Can you talk and take photos at the same time? In our time, the camera was not such a small and practical thing. Besides, it is unreasonable to contact someone with such a device!”
Afife, who looks around with curiosity while walking in Istiklal, continues to ask questions. The Istanbul he knows is not this Istanbul.
– “in my time Istiklal Street It wasn’t so colorful and crowded. There were cars, now I can’t see anything but people. So many people, shops and lights… What has changed so much?“
Sinem starts to explain: “Yes, a lot has changed over time. Cities have become modern, technology has advanced a lot. People are now free to dress, new styles have emerged. Look, it is possible to find clothes to everyone’s taste in each of these stores. Now everyone can dress as they wish. Fashion is also about self-expression.” It has become our way of doing things.”
Afife: “In my period, the clothes were more elegant and uniform, as you can see on me. Now, I was amazed to see stores full of colorful and diverse designs. These trousers you are wearing are only worn by men in our period. fashion world What an evolution it has really undergone in all this time! Apart from that, when I look at the things that have changed, I wonder, “Is what I see true or is it a woman working there?”
Sinem laughing: “Yes, she is a woman. Our role in society has also evolved. “Women now exist in every field: business, art, science… Women now have equal rights with men and have the opportunity to work in the field they want.”
Afife: “How incredible is this! How everything has changed. Even though I was dying to work during my time, I could only do housework. Even our education was limited. We used to work mostly at home. We couldn’t even imagine working. “Now, seeing such strong and productive women impressed me a lot.”
In the 1920s, it was out of the question for women to participate in politics, let alone talk about it.
Sinem: “Now women can get the education they want and choose the life they want. Both in the business world and in many different sectors We take active roles. Since its founding, our country has implemented earlier and more advanced regulations and practices than many Western countries regarding equality between men and women. Giving us the right to vote and be elected is one of the most well-known examples of these efforts. We gained the right to elect and be elected to municipalities in 1930, to muhtars in 1933, and to parliament in 1934. “We gained this right before many European countries, thanks to Ataturk’s revolutions, at a time when international agreements were not even on the world agenda.”
Afife asks curiously: “I wish I could coincide with this period. When did this change begin?”
Sinem: “This change started with the struggles for women’s rights and increased social awareness. However, this process took time and its difficulties still continue today. The principles of secularism, democracy and the rule of law, which form the basis of the state from education to administration, from family to politics, and the equality of men and women are taken into account.” “We are now concerned that violence against women is being ignored. Unfortunately, although violence against women is increasing, we are determined to protect the gains we have achieved. Women’s struggle for equality and democracy will continue until violence against women is stopped.”
Afife: “It seems like this discrimination and hate speech will never disappear. These freedoms and rights are very valuable for future generations. I hope this transformation always continues. During our period, new women’s mobility had occurred. I was among them too. “Now seeing the struggle we started blossoming left a very deep impression on me.”
As they continue walking, the conversation gets darker. Afife pays attention to the girls coming out of a school and continues to ask questions.
Afife reacts between surprise and happiness to this unfamiliar situation. For girls in 1914 İnas Darülfünun Even though it was opened, education was so limited that most women could not take up the profession of their dreams. Faced with this situation, he asks with tears in his eyes:
– “Aren’t girls now free in every sense of education? I wanted to be a doctor very much. But the conditions of the period did not allow for this. When I saw the girls receiving education now, I felt a great sense of peace! women’s rights “What has changed during this change process?”
Sinem: “There have been important developments in many aspects. We are now present in education as well as in business life. As I said, gender inequality still exists. Women can sometimes still be compared to men in the same positions despite having similar talents and skills. However, breakthroughs in the field of education played a major role in the emergence of productive women of the future. Anyone can study not only teaching, but also any profession they wish. Even engineering!”
Afife: “I am so happy to hear this! It is proud to see that our struggle has not been in vain, even after years. How many things have changed. Well, around I see many foreign nationals. What is the reason for this change?”
Sinem: “In recent years, our country has hosted immigrants from various geographies. Conflicts in countries such as Syria have caused people to flee to safe areas.”
Afife said with a worried expression: “Why did these people have to leave their country? In our time, there were wars, but there was no such mass migration. Apparently the wars and difficulties have not subsided yet. Why are so many people so desperate?”
Sinem: “Unfortunately, due to conflicts and insecurity in countries, many people are looking for a safe haven. Turkey is one of the countries that open its doors to refugees.”
Afife thought: “In changing times, there are also changing difficulties. Besides the changes you have just listed, I think war is one of the most constant things. I hope the problem will be resolved in these people’s country and they can return to their homeland.”
Afife is excited to see a familiar face when she sees the photo of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the wall of a building.
– “Alright, What happened to Ataturk? Are his revolutions and ideas still alive today?
This question came from a place Sinem least expected. In a slightly bitter tone: “Ataturk passed away in 1938, but his legacy is still alive. Turkey is under the influence of the modernization and secularization policies under his leadership. We are still struggling to ensure that the values of the Republic form the basis of our society.”
Afife’s face fell and she didn’t know what to say.
Afife “Hearing this filled my heart with deep sorrow. He is not only a leader for us; he is also a great leader, a father. I am very happy that he has such a deep meaning for you even today. He never thought that we might lose him when he broke away from the Republic and came here. I can’t help but ask, are Ataturk’s revolutions on women’s rights still continuing?”
While talking about these, they started to sit somewhere and take a breath and observe the streets and avenues.
Sinem: “Yes, the revolutions regarding women’s rights continue. Although we may not feel the value that Atatürk gave to us as much as you do, there are many struggles regarding this issue in Turkey today. Thanks to the Civil Code adopted on February 17, 1926, we officially gained equal rights in our country. Civil Code “The rules introduced by the Ottoman Empire, such as monogamy, civil marriage, marriage age and equal share of inheritance for girls and boys, are still of great importance in terms of women’s rights today.”
Afife: “Under Ataturk’s leadership, we took many steps forward in women’s rights. But in my time, these had only just begun. Ataturk’s legacy continues to live on. I hope the developments in our country will always get better.”
Sinem: “We will continue to work for a stronger, freer Turkey, adhering to Ataturk’s legacy.”
While observing the surroundings, he thought that Ottoman Turkish was still spoken. Until I saw the Turkish signs.
Afife: “I’m astonished! What is this article? I can’t read it. Don’t you use Ottoman Turkish?”
Sinem: “Actually, we still speak Turkish. However, there has been a change in our language. In 1928, under Atatürk’s leadership, the Turkish alphabet was changed to be written in Latin letters.”
Afife was surprised: “Latin letters? I mean, aren’t they Arabic letters anymore?”
Sinem: “Yes, our previous writing system was based on the Arabic alphabet, but we switched to the Latin alphabet with a reform in 1928. This provided us with great convenience in reading and writing. Ataturk initiated this change with the aim of modernizing the language and making it easier to learn. “In addition, switching to the Latin alphabet was a strategic move in order to be more effective in international communication.”
While thinking about how Turkey evolved to this point, Afife was excited that these revolutions would take place just a few years after 1923.
Sentences “You enlightened me with such different and interesting information, I want to see what our country has become after 100 years. Thank you for helping. Learning about the future was both emotional and hopeful for me. Now I can look to the future with more hope. Maybe we’ll meet again one day.Saying goodbye to the Turkey of 2023, Afife saw that the legacy left by Atatürk is still being kept alive today.
It is a symbol of great change, at least for women. May these 100 years give birth to many more 100 years.