Women's Benefiting From Health and Education as A Social Policy Tool in Turkey In The Early Republican Era: Conditions Related To Employment And Non-Employment (1923 – 1945)

Abstract

The state's social policies shape women's labour power, whether it is invisible labour in the home or women's direct participation in employment. However, it should not be denied that women's employment goes beyond narrowly thinking of it as a social policy tool, and it is related to education policies in a broad sense, and also to health policies. The education that a person receives for herself as an investment is directly related to her employment. In this study, the social policies implemented for women in the Early Republican Era in Turkey were examined holistically. It has been determined what kind of education policies are applied in the formation of the modernized, strong, and working woman profile, and also how women's work is glorified. However, the social policies that find application in which women are directed to be educated not only in employment but also as a housewife in this era have been understood internally, so the implemented health policies are also employment-oriented. In the study, it was made to determine the common denominator of narrow and broad-based social policies in which women were involved during the era was determined. In this respect, the issue is essential in terms of explaining policies in a broad sense, whether employment-related or non-employment-related. While the subject is handled in this way, since it is a historical cross-section, the literature review has been made, and datasets and laws related to the era have been added. As a result, it was determined that many social policies were developed to support strong and working women in this era, and these policies were important in the realization of their forms.