Empowering Housewives in Southeast Turkey

Introduction: The Continuity of the Gender Regime Genealogy of a Rhetoric: Empowerment Culturalist Foundations of Progress Times of Hope: Context of the Research An Ethnography of Women’s Praxis: Notes on Methods Organisation of the Book PART I – THE ‘SECOND’ HOME: Defining Women’s Place 1. Creating Public(s) in (Re)public(s) Kemalist Vision of Emancipation: Girls’ Institutes GAP’s Vision of Empowerment: Multi-Purpose Community Centres Erdogan’s Vision of Rehabilitation: Family Support Centres 2. Alternative Opportunities Meanings of Education through Life Stories Halime: “I am not interested” Aylin: “I have bigger dreams” Breadwinner Housewives Becoming Professionals: Ilknur and Tugba Dreams of Entrepreneurship Part II – EMPTY GESTURES: Politics and Expansion of the Party 3. Streams in Mainstreaming ‘Add-Women-and-Stir’ Tourism A Non-Position in Local Bureaucracy: Mrs. Governor “Rowing Against Tsunami” 4. Participation without Us Efsun’s Disappointment: Politics without Critique Sibel’s Objection to Family: Symbolic Representation in AKP Expansion of Government in Women’s Praxis: Multiple Belongings, Conflicting Statements Part III – ONE NEEDLE MANY THREADS: Self-Making Through Women’s Praxis 5. A Project of One’s Own Selectively Available Funds A Leader Woman: Life and Words of Aliye Resisting Male Resistance 6. Building Awareness “Burning Anger” Differences Negotiated (or Not) Hazal’s Pieces: Afterlife of Workshops Conclusion