Political Activism of Muslim Women in Turkey with Selective References to Muslim Women's Activism in Egypt

This paper will examine the political activism of two vocal independent Muslim women’s groups in Turkey. "Women who Get Together" initiates campaigns for the political participation of women with headscarves or prepares blogs on daily issues such as criticizing media institutions which depict Christians as targets. "Muslim Initiative Opposing the Violence against Women", on the other hand, holds public demonstrations to denounce the harassment of women with headscarves, and prepare stickers and stencils to increase awareness on violence against women. I analyze how these two groups merge their religious and gender identity to mobilize for political action. I compare their activities and discourses to the mainstream gender discourse of the Islamic communities and the state in Turkey. The paper will also make selective references to Muslim women’s activism in Egypt to compare their activism patterns and discourses to the Turkish Muslim women.