At the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held in New York, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor, Serra Bucak, addressed women representatives from around the world, sharing the local governance approach shaped by the perspective of the Kurdish women’s struggle and presenting the example of Diyarbakır.

Co-Mayor Bucak took part in the event titled “Localising Beijing+30: The Municipal Movement Leading the Way to Equality and Democracy”, organised within the framework of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) by the United Nations (UN). The summit, held at the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza, brought together mayors, representatives of international organisations, and feminist leaders from across the globe.

The Role and Influence of Women Discussed

The event was organised to strengthen women’s leadership in local government, to discuss multi-level governance models for gender equality, and to explore how feminist policies can be advanced within the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Throughout the summit, gender-sensitive policies, the role of women leaders, and international cooperation to achieve equality were addressed. In addition, the key findings of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments’ Localisation of SDG 5 Report, to be presented at the UN High-Level Political Forum, were reviewed.

The representation of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality by Co-Mayor Serra Bucak at such a critical platform holds great significance in the context of local governance and women’s rights. Co-Mayor Bucak’s participation in this summit also provided an important opportunity to enhance the international visibility of both Diyarbakır and the women’s movement in Turkey.

Co-Mayor Bucak: She Was a Pioneer of the Struggle for Freedom

Speaking at the session “Localising Equality: Women’s Leadership and Multi-Level Governance with Beijing+30 and the 2030 Agenda”, Co-Mayor Bucak outlined the example of Diyarbakır and stated:

“It is an honour to be here with you today at such an important session that aims to bring gender equality from the local to the global level. As the Co-Mayor of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, I am here not only as a mayor but also as an activist. Kurdish women throughout history have struggled not only for their own freedom but also for the freedom of peoples. We must ensure that women’s presence and struggle at the local level become more visible globally. We are implementing a model of municipal governance that is democratic, ecological and rooted in women’s liberation. The co-mayoral system is not only about the sharing of authority but also constitutes a unique democratic mechanism extending from women’s assemblies to women’s coordination bodies. Yet we know that good intentions and political discourse alone are not sufficient for equal representation; real change can only be achieved through strong legal frameworks.”

Reaction Against Trustee Policies

Highlighting that the appointment of government trustees to DEM Party municipalities also targets the women’s struggle, Bucak said:

“By appointing trustees to our municipalities, the will of the people has been usurped. These policies are directed not only against elected representatives but also against women’s achievements. The women’s struggle cannot be confined within national borders. We must activate international solidarity to protect and strengthen the presence of women at the local level.”

Women’s Movement and the Peace Process

Referring to the peace negotiations concerning the resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey, Bucak stated: “Women must be a fundamental part of the peace process. As emphasised in UN Resolution 1325, women must play an active role in peace and security policies. The Kurdish women’s movement is the greatest force to ensure the success of this process.”

Inequality Will Be Overcome Through the Women’s Struggle

Adding that the UN 2030 Agenda can only be genuinely implemented through an approach centred on gender equality, Bucak continued: “The eradication of poverty and inequality can only be achieved if women are fully free in economic, political and social life. We will continue to carry this struggle from the local to the global. A fair and equal society, based on gender equality, is only possible through the liberation of women.”

Co-Mayor Bucak concluded her speech with the words: “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî!” (“Woman, Life, Freedom”).