This happened too... AKP-run municipality separates cafes for men and women

At the Millet Library cafes in the AKP-run Gaziantep Şahinbey Municipality, gender-segregated cafes have been established by AKP Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu. The CHP Gaziantep Youth Branch held a press statement in front of the Millet Library to express their reaction to the situation. 

"IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF A PROBLEMATIC APPROACH"

Youth Branch President Fayat Ferhat Alagöz stated that confining women and men to separate cafe areas is not merely a spatial arrangement, adding, "The implementation of 'Pocket Cafe (Women)' and 'Pocket Cafe (Men)' at the Şahinbey Millet Library is an expression of a problematic approach that undermines our claims of modernization, normalizes social division, and turns public spaces into a map of gender-based boundaries. Yet, a library is not just a place with books, shelves, and quiet rooms."

"IT MEANS INSTITUTIONALIZING A MENTAL SEPARATION"

According to a report by Evren Demirdaş from Sözcü, Alagöz stated, "A library is a universal space where thought is liberated, knowledge becomes limitless, differences come together, and individuals grow by learning from one another. Libraries are among the most important cornerstones of social development and cultural progress. Therefore, it is extremely concerning that exclusionary spatial policies find a place for themselves in these areas steeped in knowledge." Alagöz added, "Confining women and men to separate cafe areas is not just a spatial arrangement; it also means institutionalizing a mental separation. This practice positions the individuals of society as identities that cannot trust each other and are uncomfortable being together." 

"THE PATH TO FREEDOM LIES IN STRENGTHENING TOGETHER"

Alagöz stated, "Gender-based segregation is the physical manifestation of a mentality that destroys freedom by citing security concerns as a pretext and erodes the culture of living together. Moreover, the use of language like 'bayan' (lady), which has been criticized for years and reduces female identity to a superficial category, is also thought-provoking. Defining a woman not as an individual, but with an anonymous 'lady' label, overshadows her rights to be a free individual and strips her of her identity. Development should not be sought in building walls out of fear, but in opening doors with freedom." He concluded by saying, "We demand that libraries be spaces that stand at an equal distance to every individual and offer freedom and knowledge without regard to gender. We want all artificial barriers to be removed that prevent women and men from being under the same roof as equal individuals, learning together, debating together, and growing together. The path to freedom lies in strengthening together. We remind everyone of this and call on everyone to protect knowledge, freedom, and equality."

News Source: 12punto