The DEM Party-run municipality of Amed (tr. Diyarbakır) wants to work with civil society organizations and women’s initiatives to develop a model for a “women’s city”. The goal is to make cities more livable, safer, and more equitable for women. At an initial meeting, representatives from various institutions discussed requirements, shortcomings, and proposals in urban areas. Sociologist Günay Yakut also took part in the event.
The meeting focused on the question of how women want their city to be and what structural changes are necessary to enable social participation, protection from violence, and economic independence. Topics such as poverty, safety, participation, urban infrastructure, and access to public spaces were discussed in detail. One suggestion that came up frequently was the establishment of local neighborhood councils to promote safety and co-determination.
Yakut: Women want equal and safe cities
In an interview with ANF, sociologist Günay Yakut emphasized that women demand not only physical integrity, but also social and economic equality: “We discussed what women’s relationship to the city currently looks like—from urban planning aspects to unpaid care work. Developments over the last 15 to 20 years have exacerbated social inequalities in Amed, which has a direct impact on women’s lives.”
Retreat into private life: public spaces are avoided
Yakut criticized the fact that many women are increasingly withdrawing from public life: “In the past, women were able to network, exchange ideas, and organize together in their neighborhoods. Today, many live in isolation behind closed doors. This makes visibility and solidarity more difficult.”
A key problem is the lack of access to public spaces. Parks and streets are unsafe in many places, for example, due to poor lighting, drug use, or a lack of social control: “The fact that women no longer go out at night is an expression of structural exclusion. It is not just a matter of subjective feelings of safety, but of real exclusion from social life.”
Political interventions have weakened women’s structures
Yakut also pointed to political changes in the region. She said that the disempowerment of elected local administrations and the appointment of trustees had severely weakened existing women’s structures: “The closure of women’s organizations has resulted in the loss of important spaces for solidarity and support. This has not only weakened the memory of feminist struggles, but also strengthened patriarchal power structures.”
Solidarity as a protective factor: revitalizing women’s networks
A key outcome of the event was the desire to rebuild existing or former solidarity networks among women. Yakut explained: “In the past, a woman in need would often reach out to us through a neighbor or friend. Today, this access is lacking. This increases vulnerability to violence and poverty. We need meeting places in neighborhoods, villages, and in the city center again.”
Economic participation: strengthening women’s cooperatives
To achieve greater economic independence, Yakut calls for the strengthening of communal production spaces: “Women need places where they can produce together and exchange ideas. But social spaces—kindergartens, playrooms, meeting centers—must also be available in every neighborhood. Until now, cities have been largely planned by men. Yet gender-equitable urban development is possible.”
Shaping urban development together with women
Further meetings in urban districts and rural regions are also planned. The results will be incorporated into the “Women’s City” pilot project. “Women themselves will decide how and where they want to live. Together, we can shape cities that are safe, supportive, and equal. The process has only just begun, and it is being driven by women,” Yakut added.