AKP Group Deputy Chairperson Özlem Zengin has explained why she decided against attending the "Women Side by Side Discussing the Future" conference held in Ankara. Zengin stated that the decision was made in line with party policies, citing the inclusion of LGBTI+ topics in the program as the reason.
Speaking to Candan Yıldız from T24, Zengin stated that after being invited to the conference, they evaluated the matter with the AKP Headquarters and initially decided to attend. However, she noted that the decision changed after the program content was re-examined.
Zengin was scheduled to speak at the session titled "Political responsibility for peace, democratic solution, Parliament and political parties" on the Sunday, November 1 program of the conference, which was held at the TMMOB Chamber of Civil Engineers Ankara Branch.
ZENGİN: OUR PARTY'S POLICY IS CLEAR
"I was invited to the Women Side by Side Conference. A Turkey without terror is an important and independent issue for us. I discussed this invitation with the Headquarters and we decided to attend. The AKP is a party founded by women as well. We are also a women's movement. We found it important to attend this conference. However, we saw the LGBTI topics; our party's policy is clear, this is a subject we oppose. We re-evaluated whether or not to attend a conference where this topic would also be discussed and decided not to attend. I conveyed this to Pervin Buldan one day in advance."
Zengin's invitation to the conference had sparked debate on social media prior to the event. The fact that a figure from the AKP was going to attend the program, which covered topics such as women's rights, gender equality, and democracy, had been criticized by some users.
Journalist Gözde Şeker, who had previously announced the change in the program, had stated that their goal was to come face-to-face with a representative from the government and ask questions. Şeker had also expressed that women who were criticized for the invitation were under no obligation to prove their stance on rights-based issues.
News Source: 12punto
