The Role of Women in the War of Independence

The role of women in the War of Independence (1919–1922) encompasses the multifaceted duties they undertook during the Turkish nation’s struggle for sovereignty and the transformation in their social positions during this period. Turkish women contributed both behind the frontlines and on the battlefield.

Contributions Behind the Frontlines

• Logistical Support: Women played a vital role in meeting soldiers’ needs for food, clothing, and ammunition. Workshops established in villages and towns produced clothing, prepared food, and delivered supplies to the front.

• Healthcare Services: Women serving as nurses and caregivers made significant contributions to the treatment of wounded soldiers. Women actively involved in the Hilal-i Ahmer (Red Crescent) worked in frontline hospitals and mobile health units.

• Propaganda and Organization: Women engaged in various propaganda activities to sustain the spirit of resistance, raise national consciousness, and garner support in occupied regions. They organized rallies, founded associations, and informed the public through publications. Organizations such as the Anatolian Women’s Defense of the Homeland Society demonstrated women’s collective strength in the resistance movement.

• Financial Support: Women donated their jewelry and savings to provide financial assistance to the national struggle.

Struggles on the Battlefield

Some women directly participated in armed conflicts during the War of Independence. Documented figures such as Kara Fatma (Fatma Seher Erden), Halide Edip (Adıvar), and Şerife Bacı took part in military activities. They were involved in ammunition transport and supporting military units.

Halide Edip took on propaganda roles throughout the war and provided moral support to the army. Kara Fatma formed volunteer units and served on various fronts.

Women of the War of Independence (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Social Division of Labor and Post-War Effects

During the years of the War of Independence, the distribution of women’s roles varied according to the conditions of the period. Educated women concentrated in bureaucratic and healthcare services, while women in rural areas focused on production and logistics. The roles women played during this time became important factors considered in social, economic, and legal reforms in the post-war era.

In the 1920s, the newly established Republic implemented various regulations aimed at improving women’s education. The establishment of girls’ teacher schools and the inclusion of women in public service were among the primary developments in this area.

With the adoption of the Turkish Civil Code in 1926, women were granted legal rights in private law areas such as marriage and divorce. In 1930, women gained the right to vote in municipal elections, allowing them to have a voice in local government.

In 1934, women were granted the right to be elected as members of parliament.

Prominent Women’s Organizations and Documented Activities

The Anatolian Women’s Defense of the Homeland Society was founded in 1919 in Sivas, with branches opened in cities such as Istanbul, Erzurum, and Kastamonu. The society played a role in providing resources needed for the war, organizing rallies, and conducting aid campaigns. The activities of these organizations are recorded in official newspapers and reports from the period.

Women’s activities during the war are also reflected in visual and written documents of the era. Nurse records in the Hilal-i Ahmer archives, lists of aid campaigns, and local rally posters provide valuable evidence of their contributions.