From masculinity to femininity mayoresses in Turkey

Political history, which is today regarded as masculine by activists of women?s movement and feminists in particular, holds a pratice of repression and explotation. Masculine power, which takes its form via female body, not only exludes women from political and social processes, but also places them in a secondary position. Along with this phenomenon lasting through centuries; ?woman?, with appearing liberal feminist movement in 18th century followed by suffraget movement, became a part to political life, reinforces her ?assertion? in the sphere in question with feminist movement in 20th century. First chapter of this work focuses on theoretical and historical dimension of this assertion in world-wide perspective as well as in the specific case of Anatolia and Turkey. In the second chapter, in regard to local goverments in Turkey, political profiles of Turkish mayoresses are derived from the historical period from the year 1930 to now in which they gained the right to elect and to be elected; besides, interviews in-depth are made with one elected mayoree in 2004 elections per a political party, selected by taking into account the distribution of political parties in the parliament. In the light of the said theoretical framework and the empirical data gained through this work, whether mayoresses has brought about an orginal transformation at the level of local governments in Turkey is discussed.