This is one of the first comprehensive studies on women’s co-operatives in Turkey. This study, while answering many questions, does unearth many new ones. The opportunity for further research to provide the depth and focus needed to answer many of these emerging questions we hope is taken up by researchers within Turkey and around the world.

The definition of women’s co-operatives has been enshrined by the legislative regulations, but in practice women and co-operatives are understood in different ways. For this study we have focused on women’s co-operatives that are created by women, for women. We have not included in our understanding of women’s co-operatives, co-operatives that

employ mostly women, are managed by some women, have some women who sit on the board of directors, or more generally support women. While these co-operatives do exist they are beyond the scope of this research.