The members of the Women Council within the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) controlled Akdeniz Municipality have started a number of visits to bring forward the demand for democratic autonomy and bilingual life, the formation of city and women's councils, determination of women’s problems in situ, the problems and to develop solution projects. In the first phase of the project, the committee of BDP member women visited the Yenitaþkent neighborhood which is one of the regions under Akdeniz Municipality and settled by expatriated Kurdish people.

In this context, the members of Akdeniz Municipality BDP Women's Council and the activists of Democratic Free Women's Movement (DÖKH) listened to the problems and demands of the families that migrated mainly from Van and settled in Yenitaþkent within the boundaries of the Mediterranean region. Making presentatons in Turkish and Kurdish, BDP Women's Council members expressed that they will give educational seminars on various topics in line with problems, demands and needs mentioned by women, children and young people, give legal assistance in case of domestic violence, launch projects and workings for the preparation of training programs for women and children and organization of feasts.

At the meeting, council member women pointed out that Kurds and the Kurdish language have been fighting against assimilation in 4 separate geographical areas for thousands of years now, calling attention to the importance of 'Bilingual Life Campaign’ launched by Democratic Society Congress. It was also reminded that imprisoned BDP members, who stand on trial now, are prevented from making self-defense in their native language. It attracted attention that some of the women at the meeting right then demanded the opening of a Kurdish language course.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil