Oct 05

Special protection

It’s so nice, when Father State takes care of you and protects you. That’s why it surprises me so much that women’s organisations are not happy with the new draft Constitution, which will be subject to a referendum on the 21st of this month. In the Constitution that needs to be replaced, there was a line about the equality of

Sep 20

Lifting the headscarf ban

Whether the army, the university rectors or the opposition want it or not, I don’t think the ban on wearing headscarves at university will survive much longer. The ruling AK Parti is working on a new constitution to replace the one made by the army when it ruled in the early 1980′s. Part of it will, as all the signs …

Sep 17

Anne, Anneeee!

It looks like the Turkish mother has to be available constantly. ‘Anne’ she is called, like our ‘Mummy’. Or, more often heard, ‘Anneeeee!’ The word comes through my open window all day long in the small apartment that I rent in a somewhat shabby neighbourhood. From early in the morning till rather late at night. Anneeee, anneeee, anneeeee! Three times. …

Aug 27

A strong woman

Of course, in the end it’s Abdullah Gül who’s going to be the next president of Turkey and not his wife Hayrünnisa. But the country is talking about her. About her headscarf, to be more precise. It’s a religious one, tight around the head, no hair to be seen – a political scarf, many Turks call it. For an article …

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