Duygu Asena
Encyclopedia
Duygu Asena was a Turkish
journalist, best-selling author
and activist for women’s rights.
, Turkey
in 1946. Her grandfather was Atatürk's personal secretary. After finishing Kadıköy
Private College for Girls, she graduated from Istanbul University
with a degree in pedagogy
. Then, she worked for two years in the children’s clinic of Haseki Hospital and in the children’s home of the Istanbul University as a pedagogue.
Duygu Asena began writing in 1972 with her first column published in the newspaper "Hürriyet
". Between 1976-1978, she was employed as a copywriter in an advertising agency. In 1978, she became editor-in-chief of a publishing house, and in this position she was responsible for the creation of several women’s magazines such as "Kadınca", "Onyedi", "Ev Kadını", "Bella", "Kim" and "Negatif".
From the 1980s onwards, Duygu
Asena became a leader of movement for women’s rights and status in Turkey with her publications in the media. She wrote about marriage, inequality and violence against women. Previously, she had lost her job because she had fallen in love with a colleague at an associated newspaper. She realized that a Turkish man would never have been fired under similar circumstances.
Her first book “Kadının Adı Yok” ("The Woman Has No Name"), sharply criticizing the oppression of women and marriage without love, was published in 1987, and became a top seller. However, the book was banned at its 40th edition in 1998 by the government because it was found obscene, dangerous for children and undermining marriage. After two years of lawsuits, the ban was lifted, and her book was filmed the same year by director Atıf Yılmaz
and featured by Hale Soygazi
. Translations of her book were released in Germany
and the Netherlands
. It became a best seller also in Greece
. Her second book “Aslında Aşk da Yok”, which can be considered as the continuation of her first book, was also translated in foreign languages and published abroad. All of her subsequent books became best sellers.
Between 1992 and 1997, she presented a TV program in the state owned channel TRT 2
. Her occupation as a columnist started in the newspaper Milliyet
and continued later in Cumhuriyet
and Yarın. Duygu Asena played also in three movies "Umut Yarıda Kaldı" ("The Hope is Broken"), "Yarın Cumartesi" ("Tomorrow is Saturday") and "Bay E" ("Mr. E").
Duygu Asena died of brain cancer, which she had been battling for two years in İstanbul's American Hospital. She was laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery
.
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
journalist, best-selling author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and activist for women’s rights.
Life and career
She was born in IstanbulIstanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
in 1946. Her grandfather was Atatürk's personal secretary. After finishing Kadıköy
Kadiköy
Kadıköy is a large, populous, and cosmopolitan district of İstanbul, Turkey on the Asian side of the Sea of Marmara, facing the historic city centre on the European side of the Bosporus...
Private College for Girls, she graduated from Istanbul University
Istanbul University
Istanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
with a degree in pedagogy
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
. Then, she worked for two years in the children’s clinic of Haseki Hospital and in the children’s home of the Istanbul University as a pedagogue.
Duygu Asena began writing in 1972 with her first column published in the newspaper "Hürriyet
Hürriyet
-External links:* * ** * *...
". Between 1976-1978, she was employed as a copywriter in an advertising agency. In 1978, she became editor-in-chief of a publishing house, and in this position she was responsible for the creation of several women’s magazines such as "Kadınca", "Onyedi", "Ev Kadını", "Bella", "Kim" and "Negatif".
From the 1980s onwards, Duygu
Duygu
Duygu is a common feminine Turkish given name. In Turkish, "Duygu" means "Emotion", and/or "Affection".-People:* Duygu Asena, Turkish journalist* Duygu Fırat, Turkish basketball player* Duygu Ulusoy, Turkish skier...
Asena became a leader of movement for women’s rights and status in Turkey with her publications in the media. She wrote about marriage, inequality and violence against women. Previously, she had lost her job because she had fallen in love with a colleague at an associated newspaper. She realized that a Turkish man would never have been fired under similar circumstances.
Her first book “Kadının Adı Yok” ("The Woman Has No Name"), sharply criticizing the oppression of women and marriage without love, was published in 1987, and became a top seller. However, the book was banned at its 40th edition in 1998 by the government because it was found obscene, dangerous for children and undermining marriage. After two years of lawsuits, the ban was lifted, and her book was filmed the same year by director Atıf Yılmaz
Atif Yilmaz
Atıf Yılmaz Batıbeki was a renowned Turkish Kurdish film director, screenwriter and film producer. He was almost a legend in the film industry of Turkey with 119 movies directed. He also wrote 53 screenplays and produced 28 movies since 1951. He was active in almost every period of the Turkish...
and featured by Hale Soygazi
Hale Soygazi
Hale Soygazi is a famous Turkish film actress of the 1970s and 1980s.- Biography :She was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1950. She studied French philology at the university. She was chosen as 'Miss Turkey' in 1973 and also did modeling for magazines. She made her film debut in a leading role in Kara...
. Translations of her book were released in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. It became a best seller also in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Her second book “Aslında Aşk da Yok”, which can be considered as the continuation of her first book, was also translated in foreign languages and published abroad. All of her subsequent books became best sellers.
Between 1992 and 1997, she presented a TV program in the state owned channel TRT 2
Trt 2
TRT Haber is a Turkish television station. Prior to March 18, 2010, it was known as TRT 2.-Introduction:TRT 2 started test transmissions on September 15, 1986 as "2...
. Her occupation as a columnist started in the newspaper Milliyet
Milliyet
Milliyet is a major Turkish daily newspaper founded in 1950.-History:Milliyet came to publishing life at the Nuri Akça press in Babıali, Istanbul as a daily private newspaper on 3 May 1950...
and continued later in Cumhuriyet
Cumhuriyet
Cumhuriyet is a centre-left Turkish daily newspaper, founded on May 7, 1924 by journalist Yunus Nadi Abalıoğlu. Based in Istanbul, it has been situated since October 17, 2005 in Mecidiyeköy. Cumhuriyet was the last newspaper to leave the old press district Cağaloğlu...
and Yarın. Duygu Asena played also in three movies "Umut Yarıda Kaldı" ("The Hope is Broken"), "Yarın Cumartesi" ("Tomorrow is Saturday") and "Bay E" ("Mr. E").
Duygu Asena died of brain cancer, which she had been battling for two years in İstanbul's American Hospital. She was laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery
Zincirlikuyu Cemetery
The Zincirlikuyu Cemetery is a modern burial ground at the European part of Istanbul, Turkey. It is administered by the Metropolitan Municipality. Many prominent figures from the world of politics, business, sports and arts rest here....
.
Awards
- 1988 - "People at the Summit" by Magazine "Nokta"
- 1988 - "Best Author" by Bosphorus University for Kadının Adı Yok
- 1995 - “Best Author" by Bosphorus University
- 1998 - "75 Women in 75 Years" Award
External links
- Photograph, Fotoajans.