Women in labour movement in Turkey during 2000's

Women in labour market have a disadvantageous position due to the capitalist relations of production and patriarchal structures. As a result of the historical, political and economic developments in Turkey, it is observable that these disadvantages are experienced more intensely by women. In return, building up mechanisms to challenge the discrimination and inequality is an important way to transform the gender relations especially around women's labour. This study aimed to examine the dynamics of women's labour in Turkey during the 2000's, in pursuit of understanding the basic features of women's wage labour in the circumstances of political, economic and social structures, and it examined the role of women in the labour movement. Accordingly, Novamed, TEKEL and Flormar strikes, which were the examples of women's active participation, were examined to see female workers' positioning within the labour movement, the experiences they had and how these strikes affected the labour movement and women's movement in Turkey. The study is based on publications and academic studies about the Novamed and TEKEL strikes, and in-depth interviews with the striker women in the Flormar Strike. The study finds out that the participation of women in labour movements has been an empowering and liberating experience which increased women's agency. The study also finds out that these experiences led to transformations in gender relations.