The limited potential for [feminist] substantive representation of conservative women in Turkey: The case of AKP

Although most women parliamentarians previously came predominantly from centrist and leftist parties in Turkey, this changed when the neo-conservative Justice and Development Party [Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi – AKP] rose to power in 2002. Since then, the AKP had the second highest number of women in the parliament. On the other hand, AKP leader R. T. Erdoğan and the party underlines strict traditional gender norms through which it marginalizes alternative life-styles and prefers to use “gender justice” instead of “gender equality” to emphasize Islamic references to define women’s status in relation to the family. In such a setting, by reviewing the parliamentary debate surrounding a bill reforming maternity leave and part-time work (June 2011 - June 2015), we aim to examine the potential for [feminist] substantive representation of conservative women based on a qualitative analysis of women parliamentarians (WPs) of the AKP’s floor speeches, parliamentary questions, and KEFEK [Women and Men Equality of Opportunity Committee] proceedings on the bill. We argue that WPs of AKP emphasize women’s motherhood duties within the family and childcare rather than highlighting the shared responsibilities of parents. In this sense, women’s [feminist] substantive representation in the AKP is inherently limited to the gendered claim-making leaving little room for the presence of diverse interests, particularly feminist claim-making demanding gender equality.