The Conflict

On January 1, 2002, Turkey amended its civil code to grant women formal equality with men. Turkey has a long history of solid feminist reform, but it also has many traditions that reinforce unequal gender roles, with women losing out in terms of rights, property, salary, and self-image. Turkey's history includes an ongoing effort to secularize government and Westernize culture; at the same time a significant portion of the population is based in Muslim traditions that have historically relegated women to inferior positions within families and the community. Civil legislation may not affect daily life as much as the ongoing and valiant efforts of the Turkish feminists themselves.

Political

• Turkey's new civil code comes at a time when Turkey seeks to join the European Union, which requires its member nations to meet strict standards. In the past, the...