Interview: Frederike Geerdink, journalist

Being a woman and a journalist in Turkey

Comparing to Turkey Holland is boring. And it is small. Holland is more like old population, everything is settled, it is sort of developed. In Turkey, population is young, economy is growing, democratisation process going on, there are so much issues going on, which is very important. I felt I have to go where real topics are


By MILENA STOŠIĆ
from Niš, SERBIA


Frederike Geerdink is a Dutch who lives and work as a journalist in Turkey for several years now. She origins from Utreht, a place 30 km from Amsterdam, and she grew up in Eastern Holland, close to German border. Even before she went to journalism school, she used to say that she will be correspondent from Russia. Today, she is settled in Istanbul without thinking to move again or get back to West.

In Istanbul, right in the center of main city district - Taksim square, she speaks for WAVE magazine about her decision to move to East, about journalism, women position in Turkey and her life as a woman from the west in a country which is often perceived as conservative and controversial.

- First, I wanted to be a freelancer abroad, but I didn't know how to do it. There was an evening course for people who already work in journalism in Holland, and there we made a list of criterias that one country needs for journalist to be potentially successful as freelancer. And one of the things is also that living standard should be lower than in Holland, so you don't need lot of money for living. And I loved Scotland very much but that was immediately out of the picture because it has same price level as Holland - explains Frederike her decision to move to Turkey.

- Also because country needs a conflict you can write about. And there is a huge Turkish community in Holland, there are many Dutch people going to Turkey for holidays, there was a big potential interest in Turkey in many different groups. After 8 years of freelancing and 8 years of having an office job I knew people from practically every magazine in Holland, so I thought if there are so many angles you can write about Turkey from, then I can write for all these magazines too, where I already write about health.

How does it feel being a woman from West in Istanbul?

- Great! Yes, really, comparing to Turkey Holland is boring. And it is small. I felt I have to go where real topics are. Holland is more like old population, everything is settled, it is sort of developed. In Turkey, population is young, economy is growing, democratisation process going on, Kurdish, Armenian issue, there are so much issues going on, which is very important.

Are your expectations fullfilled?

- Six years ago, when I became enthusiastic about Turkey, I decided to go and take a look for the first time and to see if I can make a story and sell it, and - I did. And then two months later, I went again and repeated the same. And I was going every couple months for 2-3 weeks as freelancer (for two years) and every time I was able to make a story and sell it. That brought me confidence to move there.

Women issues are one of your main fields of interest?

- It's good that you call it "women issues" because usually people say "women rights", but that's only a part. Exp. Head scarfs - it's really discriminating. But I also write about happiness in women's life. They tell me what makes them happy in life, and what they expected from life. I read somewhere that only 50 per cent of Turkish female population call themselves happy, which is a low percentage.

So, you think that head-scarfing is discriminating?

- I've talked to some women that wear head-scarves and they say that they got used to it. Sometimes they can't say to their fathers and husbands. There are ones who are very, very young and it get on my western nerves a little bit - I mean, you can show yourself, you can show who you are. But I know one Dutch women who really chose to be like that, she said - I know this is how Mohamed's wives were dressing and they are example for me so I want to look like they were.

It's not true that it is always imposed by husband or a father, because I also know a student here with a headscarf and I met two other sisters and they still live in their parents house and they are not head scarfed. But, on universities covering up is forbidden and if women want to stick with religion they can wear wigs or big hats. You can not show symbol of political Islam in official state's institutions.

Are there lots of women who can't read?

- There are not many jobs in South & East areas. Kurds also have big families and there is not enough money to send all the children to school, so first boys are sent to school because later they should be able to take care of families. Sometimes they don't want their woman to be educated although there is a law here that all girls have to go to school. Those who stay home are called "house girls". They stay at home and they don't work; they help their mothers in taking care of house and younger brothers and sisters - taking them to school, shopping, cleaning, cooking. In the meantime they do hands work and get ready for the marriage. It's quite a big group here.

What about domestic violence?

- It's a bigger issue here than in Holland. And it's more accepted by the women like it's natural. There are women who thinks that man has sometimes reasons to beat their wives if, e.g. they go to friends without permission.

I've done an article with a woman whose husband died five years after they married. He drink himself to death, she even lost two pregnancies because of his violence and she said during the interview - but, I loved him - and I wonder why since she never knew him as a nice man. Her answer was - I belonged with him, my place was with him. So, it wasn't really love but something like "he is my husband and he will always be, and what can I do".

Victims don't confront a lot. And police usually ask - do you really, really want to file a complaint. And many of them who leave their violent husbands go back after some time. It's really hard to get out of a violent relationship.

And with whom children usually stay?

- Children usually stay with mother. Woman can go back to her parents. It's hard to say something in general about Turkey in this context. Southeast of Turkey - girls of 14 are forced to marry 50 years old man, and if they want to get away from the marriage only solution is to commit suicide. But you also have places like Istanbul, where women marries three times and divorce four times. There are very huge differences.



(Published: 12.07.2010.)