Several Ballıkaya from the Women's Council of the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) said that they set out to regain both the usurped municipalities and the usurped women's gains in the local elections to be held on 31 March 2024.

Ballıkaya told ANF that one of the priorities of her party, which will hold primary elections in 200 centers, is women's representation and added: "Women's exploitation is the first of all other forms of exploitation. It is not possible to gain social freedom without a struggle without women and without the liberation of women. Therefore, the organization and liberation of women is of primary importance."

We will struggle with determination

The DEM Party Women's Council is working hard for the local elections, said Ballıkaya, adding: "We agreed to get the gains of women back. For this purpose, we expressed the determination to create a great line of struggle. On the other hand, deepening poverty affects women the most. Efforts to eliminate women's poverty and its consequences will be the important topic of the upcoming period. One of the most important tasks and goals set out in this process is the consensus on carrying out works that will include women in social life, against the government's desire to withdraw women from social life and imprison them at home."

We will get women's gains back

The women's institutions have been targeted the most by trustees and have now set out to regain both the municipalities and the usurped women's gains, said Ballıkaya, adding: "One of the practices in which women's gains are most affected is the appointment of trustees instead of elected mayors and the seizure of municipalities. Activities for women by trustees in municipalities were terminated. The most important task of this election is to take back the municipalities and implement a local government model with a management approach with and for our people. Together, we will take what was taken from women and give it back to women. We want to manage our cities together with an understanding in which women have a say and authority. We are preparing to ensure the construction of cities suitable for human dignity and health."

Ballıkaya added: "The most basic founding elements of the understanding of local and decentralized governance are women. Our Women's Council claims to realize the construction of women-friendly cities. It is determined to strengthen, develop and bring to a conclusion the understanding of winning the municipalities usurped by trustees and the primary election to be carried out with city consensus. For this purpose, in order to implement the principle of co-chairmanship and equal representation, we have decided to encourage women to apply for candidacy. We call on all women who do not bow to male-dominated power and demand equality, freedom and justice under all circumstances, to work together and win together."