Anti-feminist and anti-gender coalitions and feminist resilience in Turkey

Abstract

In recent years, we have been witnessing the emergence of an anti-gender civil society network in Turkey, drawing inspiration from similar mobilizations worldwide. This is a new development given that feminist scholarship has viewed the incumbent government, which has not changed in the last 22 years, as the principal architect of anti-feminist discourses. And yet facing these new developments is an adamant feminist mobilization, organizing counter-protests, demanding the protection of legal rights, and calling out the hypocrisies of anti-feminist discourses. Through a detailed analysis of the origins and themes of anti-gender mobilization as well as feminist responses to this mobilization, this chapter demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of feminist movements in the face of organized anti-gender sentiments. We argue for moving beyond simplistic culturalist narratives that bolster and are bolstered by anti-gender narratives. Overall, this chapter aims to question the power of anti-gender mobilization as separate from the ruling government and illuminate the critical role of feminist activism in countering dominant anti-gender narratives and promoting an inclusive discourse on gender and rights.