The Politics of the Female Body in Contemporary Turkey: Reproduction, Maternity, Sexuality (Gender and Islam)

In Turkey, the Justice and Development Party government has introduced new regulations about reproductive rights, and shifted family and gender policies. Women’s central role in reproductive and domestic work was swiftly reaffirmed, and abortion and IVF were newly debated. Taking Turkey as the case study, this is the first book to examine the various ways neoliberal modes of governing women’s bodies interact with conservative and authoritarian measures. The contributions focus on reproduction, maternity and sexuality, to explore the three main areas of governmental interventions into the female body. Topics for discussion include: the expansion of IVF and egg markets, the privatization of gynaecological and obstetrical care, differential treatment of poor and ethnic minority women’s fertility/sexuality, and women’s multiple responses to these shifts. While focusing on Turkey, the book presents analytical tools applicable under rising authoritarianisms and conservatisms worldwide.

Hilal Alkan is a researcher at the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient Berlin, Germany.

Ayse Dayi is the founder and director of Orca Dreams: Platform for Mindful Living.

Sezin Topçu is a senior researcher at the French National Research Center (CNRS-CEMS-Ehess).

Betül Yarar is a senior researcher at the Unit of Intercultural Education, University of Bremen, Germany.