Toplumsal Belleğin İnşasında Kadın Müzelerinin Rolü: İzmir Kadın Müzesi Üzerinden Kavramsal Bir İnceleme

This study aims to examine the role of women's museums in the construction of social memory through a conceptual framework, focusing on the case of the İzmir Women's Museum. Museums are significant actors in preserving the past, constructing identities, and transmitting cultural heritage, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping collective memory. Women's museums, in particular, make the often overlooked or underrepresented stories of women visible, contributing to gender equality and social awareness. In this context, the İzmir Women’s Museum documents and exhibits the historical, cultural, and social roles of Anatolian women, aiming to strengthen the place of women in collective memory. This study analyzes the museum's exhibition design, collections, architectural features, and educational activities. It has been found that the museum’s exhibitions, which narrate women's lives and struggles from past to present, help visitors develop historical awareness. Interactive exhibits and memory rooms dedicated to women’s experiences enable visitors to establish an emotional connection. The research concludes that women’s museums not only present historical records but also significantly contribute to raising public awareness and promoting gender equality consciousness.