The Societal Roles of Women`s Organizations: Illustrations from Transforming Turkey

Abstract: Recently, a high degree of political polarization has been identified within the body of civil society organizations corresponding to the socio-political climate in Turkey. From this viewpoint, this thesis characterizes, presents and analyzes the societal roles of women`s organizations in the transition process. The study consists of six principal chapters, each of them dealing with intertwined and complementary themes pursuant to gender politics and women`s place in the society. These themes are investigated through Laclau and Mouffe`s discourse theory, together with the post-structuralist scholarship. The author employs two methodological approaches which are netnography and discourse analysis. Following, the study provides a set of analysis through three structural domains: family & society, workforce and politics. Subsequently, the main purpose of the thesis is to address the strategies, functions and objectives of women`s organizations that play a Cartesian role in the formation of social realities through practices.