“Diverse representation of female identities, their relations with inner and outer worlds is my main curiosity and working topic.”

Irem Cagil is a Valencia based writer, editor and visual designer.

Born in 1981 in Ankara, she has lived and worked in Istanbul, Milan, and South Aegea. She holds a double major in Architecture and Communication & Design, with a BA from SPD and an MA from Bilkent University.

After a brief period working as an architect and designer, Irem transitioned her focus from space to text. In 2010, she founded the publishing house “Sinek Sekiz,” where she served as editor-in-chief and art director for over a decade. Between 2011 and 2022, the publishing house released 26 books on sustainability, ecology, local economies, food sovereignty, feminism, alternative education, and motherhood, making a significant impact on Turkish readers.

In addition to her editorial work, Irem is deeply committed to advocating for gender equality and women’s mobility rights. During her nine years living in a small Aegean village, she collaborated with disadvantaged women and elders in fragile rural economies, using the distribution network of her publishing house to support the sale of their crafts.

Irem is a strong proponent of feminist outdoor practices, which she believes offer a powerful platform for challenging hegemonic masculinity. She has undertaken numerous long-distance solo and mother-child biking and walking trips, sharing her experiences through public talks and conferences.

Since 2024, Irem has been residing in Valencia with her daughter. She writes articles for “Aposto,” teaches at “disi.beden.yol,” and organizes outdoor journeys for women through “disi.beden.yolculuk.”

#genderequality #mobility #motherhood #representationofwomen