Feminism as Transformative Politics

SRII Lecture on Women's Voices by Dr. Ayşe Gül Altınay

February 26, 2019
7pm
Entry is free but RSVP is necessary and a valid ID is required

Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul Auditorium, İstiklal Caddesi No. 247,
 Tünel, Beyoğlu, Istanbul

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Quoting Hannah Arendt, where do we see the “illumination” today? Why is it important, theoretically and politically, to “see” the illumination? “The time span given us on earth” is shaped by deeply destructive forces, the consequences of which range from climate change to wars, from poverty and precarious living to racist and (hetero)sexist violence. Yet, it is also a time span in which we are witnessing major transformations, especially in relation to conventions on gender and sexuality. Based on examples of “illumination” from the women’s and feminist movements in Turkey from the late Ottoman times till today, this talk will reflect on the transformative impact and potential of feminist politics. Focusing on the interface between personal and political transformation, the talk will ask such questions as: What are implications of the feminist motto “the personal is political” for personal and political transformation? In what ways has it been put into practice and what are some new possibilities for rethinking the concept of “transformation”?

Ayşe Gül Altınay is the Director of SU Gender (Sabancı University Gender and Women’s Studies Center of Excellence) and Associate Professor of Anthropology teaching in the Gender Studies and Cultural Studies Programs at Sabancı University.