Woman—Unveiled.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 20, 19 February 1934, Page 3

Woman —Unveiled.

PROGRESS IN TURKEY.

HER EMANCIPATION

At Angora, in Turkey, there is a statue that commemorates one of the greatest—if not the very greatest—change affecting women of any country in this generation ,states an English writer. It is a representation of a Turkish woman—unveiled.

The passing of the veil is the clearest outward sign of her emancipation under the enlightened and progressive rule of that remarkable man, Mustapha Kemal Pasha. In most respects. Turkish women are now on an equal footing with their sisters in the Western world —or rather, they can be, if they choose to avail themselves of all their legal privileges. Not only has the Moslem family law disappeared, with its legal polygamy and easy divorce, but economic pressure is driving women of all classes into shop, office, and factory, not to mention the professions. Family life is in law now. the same as in Western nations. Of course, conservatism dies hard, and many old customs persist, especially hi country districts —a minor^one is the reluctance to wear hats in place of the discarded veil. But in general, Turkey’s women are seizing eagerly the opportunities for their all-round development. It will be very interesting to watch the effect of their emancipation on the future of their country. and to what extent they will exercise a direct influence on its politics.