25/09/2024 | Writer: Şebin
In response to a call from the Çankaya Girls, the Çankaya Municipality met with LGBTI+ organizations in Ankara.
The meeting, hosted by Deputy Mayor Tutku Kurt Bayyurt and the Directorate of Women and Family Services, focused on ensuring equitable access to municipal services for all citizens and addressing the municipality’s responsibilities in promoting inclusivity. It was highlighted that this meeting marked a significant milestone by recognizing LGBTI+ organizations as direct stakeholders in municipal governance.
Building on the Local Equality Action Plan (YEEP) evaluation meeting held earlier, the session allowed civil society organizations to share their opinions and demands on specific issues, and areas of cooperation were explored. One key demand was for the municipality to provide night nurseries for the children of women working night shifts, free from discrimination. Other critical issues raised included the need for gender equality training and making shelters more inclusive, particularly addressing the housing challenges faced by LGBTI+ persons.
Participants noted that the ongoing housing crisis, exacerbated by the post-earthquake context, particularly impacts trans+ individuals and students, who struggle to find accommodation. Suggestions included providing temporary housing solutions, training real estate agents, and allocating guesthouses or hostels. There was also a call for making sports facilities accessible to all citizens, ensuring that LGBTI+ individuals can use them safely without discrimination. Additionally, they urged the municipality to make public sports and cultural spaces more inclusive.
The meeting was seen as an important step in advancing inclusive policies at the local government level, enhancing cooperation between Çankaya Municipality and civil society. Emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration with organizations working with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, participants stressed the importance of the municipality taking bolder and more proactive steps in supporting LGBTI+ rights.
Tags: human rights, women, life
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