'KA.DER Platform' brings women together in Diyarbakır for equal representation

Hosted by KA.DER Diyarbakır Representative Melis Kandemir, the program brought together women from different political parties, neighborhood heads (muhtars), local administrators, and civil society representatives around the same table. Women from the CHP, DEM Party, DEVA Party, and AKP met on common ground in Diyarbakır.

The event, held at the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was attended by female politicians from the AKP, DEM Party, DEVA Party, and CHP, as well as female muhtars, representatives of civil society organizations, and numerous other women. Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Ayşe Serra Bucak Küçük also attended the program, drawing attention to the importance of women being more strongly represented in local governments and decision-making processes.

In her opening speech, KA.DER Chairwoman Yeşim Akpolat emphasized that the struggle for women's equal representation is a non-partisan struggle for democracy, stating:

“Democracy remains incomplete where women are absent. Equal representation is not just a women's issue, but a matter for the entire society. The ability of women from different political views to meet at the same table is extremely valuable for Turkey’s democratic future.”

Akpolat also expressed her satisfaction with KA.DER strengthening its organization in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, noting that they opened a representative office in Gaziantep in April and in Diyarbakır in May.

During the workshops held as part of the program, participants discussed the obstacles to women's participation in politics, solution proposals for increasing women's representation at the local level, and mechanisms to strengthen women's solidarity in Diyarbakır.

KA.DER Diyarbakır Representative Melis Kandemir stated that they aim to create a permanent foundation for solidarity that will strengthen women's political participation in Diyarbakır, adding that the representative office will be an important center for meeting and empowerment for women in the region.

As a result of the workshops, a consensus emerged that women should be more strongly represented in all decision-making mechanisms, from parliamentary seats to mayoralties, and from municipal council memberships to the office of muhtar. Participants emphasized that women from different political parties coming together adds strength to the struggle for equal representation.

With the representative office opened in Diyarbakır following the one in Gaziantep, KA.DER aims to expand its regional organization and build a future together where women are more visible, more effective, and stronger in politics.

“Equal representation is not a demand, it is a right.”

KA.DER will continue its efforts with the goal of a democratic Turkey where women are equally represented in politics and decision-making mechanisms.

Women grow stronger together, and democracy grows together.