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Women Rights                                   "Everything we see in the world is the creative work of women."

One of Atatürk's greatest reforms was on the women rights.

 

During a meeting, he once said,

To the women: Win for us the battle of education and you will do yet more for your country than we have been able to do. It is to you that I appeal.

To the men: If henceforward the women do not share in the social life of the nation, we shall never attain to our full development. We shall remain irremediably backward, incapable of treating on equal terms with the civilizations of the West.

 

The new Civil Code of 1926 recognised the rights of women, including divorce and inheritance. The entire education system became co-educational meaning that women could go to school and gain an education. He gave women full political rights such as giving them the right to vote in national and local elections and also be elected into parliament.

 

 

 

Surname Law

The Law on Family Names (Surname Law) was introduced on June 21 1934. It required everyone to adopt a last name. Although the Jewish and Christian citizens of Turkey already owned a surname, Muslim citizens did not. This was the aim of the Surname Law 1934. Mustafa gained his last name, Atatürk meaning 'Father of Turks' because of this.

Change of headwear and dress

The Hat Law of 1925 introduced the use Western Style hats instead of the fez. The law was focused on banning fezzes and turbans although did not focus on veils or headscarfs for women. Later in 1934, a law was passed relating to the wearing of 'Prohibited Garments'. This new law banned all religious clothing such as the veil and headscarf for women and the turban and fez for man.

Social Reforms

"The major challenge facing us is to elevate our national life to the highest level of civilization and prosperity."

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