The labor processes of women working in rights-based non-governmental organizations in Turkey: Precarity, volunteerism, and solidarity

This thesis examines the labor processes of women working in rights-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Turkey from a feminist perspective. The study addresses concepts such as precarity and volunteerism, which are key distinguishing features of the labor processes of women in NGOs. It also seeks to understand how these labor processes relate to the structure, functioning, and political context of NGOs. This research is based on interviews conducted with 20 women working in various NGOs in Istanbul. The research and analysis process has been conducted within the framework of feminist theory and concepts. The study demonstrates that women working in NGOs face issues such as precarious working conditions, low wages, overtime, and a lack of social rights, paralleling the historical trajectory of women's labor. This thesis also examines how working patterns in NGOs differ for women by employing concepts such as care labor and emotional/affective labor. Additionally, the study focuses on the possibilities created by feminist history and practice for establishing more just and equitable labor processes in NGOs, as well as current practices aimed at achieving this. It also explores the strategies and solidarity networks women have developed to engage in policymaking in this field. Furthermore, the research investigates the tools NGO workers use and envision for claiming their rights within the civil society sector.