“Kız Başına” Project

Kız Başına is a project about the unspoken rules and daily precautions women in Turkey take to feel safe in public spaces. The phrase “kız başına” is often used to discourage women from doing things alone, suggesting it’s dangerous.

Inspired by my own experience of taking taxis in Istanbul—sending plate numbers to my family, sharing my location, avoiding small talk—I began to reflect on how many women do the same. These small actions are part of a larger survival strategy shaped by fear and toxic masculinity in public spaces.

This project highlights these everyday rituals and the quiet strength behind them, turning personal habits into a shared story about safety, control, and resistance.