Nurten Yontar

Nurten Yontar: A Life Dedicated to Education and Women's Rights

Early Life and Education

Nurten Yontar was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1950. She attended the American College for Girls in Istanbul and later earned a degree in English literature from Istanbul University. After graduating, she worked as a teacher and translator before pursuing a master's degree in education from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City.

Yontar returned to Turkey in 1980 and began her career as an academic at Marmara University. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a full professor in 1989. During her time at Marmara University, she established the Center for Women's Studies, which became a leading institution for research and advocacy on gender issues in Turkey.

Advocacy for Women's Rights

Yontar was a passionate advocate for women's rights throughout her life. She served as the president of the Turkish Women's Union from 1990 to 1992 and was a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) from 1994 to 2004.

In her work, Yontar focused on issues such as violence against women, access to education, and political participation. She was instrumental in the development of several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting women's rights in Turkey, including the Law on the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women in 2006.

International Recognition and Legacy

Yontar's work gained international recognition and established her as a leading voice on women's rights. She received the United Nations Development Fund for Women's (UNIFEM) Award for Women's Rights and Gender Equality in 1995 and the Human Rights Watch Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism in 2004.

Yontar passed away in 2020 at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy of activism and scholarship that continues to inspire and guide efforts to promote women's rights in Turkey and beyond.