Duygu Asena

Duygu Asena was a Turkish journalist, best-selling author and activist for women's rights. She was born in Istanbul as the daughter of Nihal and Muhtar Asena. Her grandfather was Atatürk's personal secretary. After finishing Kadıköy Private College for Girls, she graduated from Istanbul University with a degree in pedagogy. She started her career as a teacher and then worked as a journalist and editor in various newspapers and magazines. She became the editor-in-chief of Kadınca, one of the most influential women's magazines in Turkey, between 1978 and 1992. She also hosted a TV program called Ondan Sonra on TRT-2 channel. She wrote weekly columns for Milliyet and Cumhuriyet newspapers. She was also a prolific author, publishing nine novels and a memoir. Her first book, Kadının Adı Yok (The Woman Has No Name), was a groundbreaking work that challenged the patriarchal norms and expectations of Turkish society. It was banned in 1988 for being obscene and subversive, but later re-released after a legal battle. It was also adapted into a film by Atıf Yılmaz. Her other books include Aslında Aşk da Yok (Actually, There Is Also No Love), Kahramanlar Hep Erkek (Heroes Are Always Men), Aynada Aşk Vardı (There was Love in the Mirror), Aslında Özgürsün (Actually, You Are Free), Aşk Gidiyorum Demez (Love Does Not Say ‘I Am Leaving’), and Paramparça (Torn in Pieces). Her books sold millions of copies and were translated into several languages. She was widely regarded as a feminist writer and a pioneer of women's literature in Turkey. She also advocated for women's rights and equality in her writings and speeches. She received several awards and honors for her contributions to Turkish culture and society, such as the PEN Writers' Association Award, the Boğaziçi University Best Author Award, and the 75 Women in 75 Years Award. She died on 30 July 2006 at the VKV American Hospital in Istanbul, where she was being treated for a brain tumor. She was buried in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.