The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) organised a promotional event in Amed (Diyarbakır) for the female co-mayors it will nominate for the 31 March local elections. DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar as well as many people attended the event held at a hotel in the city. Banners such as "Women's will for local democracy" were hung in the hall where the event was organised. "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom) and "Local democracy with women's will against male state violence" banners in 11 languages were also displayed in the hall.

‘Local and decentralised democracy'

Speaking at the programme that started with a minute of silence, DEM Party Women's Assembly Spokesperson Halide Türkoğlu stated that they witnessed historic moments and said that they welcomed the 31 March elections with this hope and morale. Halide Türkoğlu stated that they set out by saying "local and decentralised democracy" and said, "Co-presidency is not a model that is implemented only for women. The co-presidency system allows men, too, to take part in an equal life without being exploited, which is the name of the declaration of will of the societies that have been ignored until today. The monist mentality and nation state understanding that the male-dominated mentality has been accustomed to until today is trying to move forward. Today, this understanding is trying to exist with trusteeship. This model is also a women's model."

'Co-presidency system shows the stage reached by women's struggle'

Noting that the co-presidency system also showed the stage reached by the thousands of years of women's struggle, Türkoğlu said, "Our system is not only inspired by the struggle of Kurdish women in Kurdistan. It also takes inspiration from the women's struggle in the world. As representatives of the future, we will never compromise on this. Co-presidency is our purple line, our reason for struggle. No matter how much they attack, we will fight. Our Siirt candidate was supposed to be here today but she was detained. Neither journalism nor co-presidency is a crime. We will fight for this."

'Monist regimes are wanted to be built through trustees'

Stating that "monist" regimes are wanted to be built through usurper trustees, Türkoğlu continued:

"As of 31 March, we will rebuild our line of struggle, especially in social and political areas. First, we will send the trustees away. There is experience, we have many friends here. We have women co-chairs and politicians in prison. The trustees closed women's centres, which we will bring back to life. We will reopen our cooperatives that they closed so that women can live with equality and dignity. We will revitalise our agriculture-based production areas. We will try to put forward the strongest will in the field of language, culture and art. We will bring our art-culture centres and youth centres to life in order to remove the destruction of their trusteeship. If violence against women is increasing in Amed, it is because of the trustees. The trustees who shut down women's instutitions are also responsible for the femicides. You will be held accountable. We need to sweep away the trustee mentality for cleaner and safer streets.

Message for a 'new life'

We draw strength from our women friends resisting in prison. Right now, our friends are on hunger strike for the isolation of Mr Abdullah Öcalan to be lifted and for peace to come. We are also on our way with our claim to weave a new life. Maybe we will pay a price. But there can be no new life without paying a price. We are realising our 3rd road policy in our claim for a new life. We did not elect a mayor in the primary elections. We elected a new administration for all the oppressed in the person of a woman and a man. We salute the entire delegation. Our co-mayor candidates have a serious responsibility. I say Serkeftin (Success)."

After the speech, a cinevision presentation was shown. DEM Party's women's election music was also introduced at the event.