Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality organised a training session on “Body Politics and Gender” to strengthen an egalitarian and inclusive approach in local government services. Co-Mayor Serra Bucak underlined that hearing and understanding residents’ needs, and responding to them appropriately, is made possible through training.

The Metropolitan Municipality continues to provide training in order to put an egalitarian approach into practice in local government services. As part of this work, the Department of Human Resources and Training organised a “Body Politics and Gender Training” session for heads of departments and branch managers. The programme was attended by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak, DBB Deputy Secretaries General Zerin Türk and Muhabbet Erdoğmuş, and heads of departments.

The training, held in the Municipal Council Meeting Hall, was delivered by trainer Handan Coşkun. During the programme, the concept of gender was addressed within a multidimensional framework, with topics including gender liberation, relations of equality and inequality, and women’s reproductive health. The training also focused on how a gender perspective can be reflected in local government policies, how inclusiveness can be strengthened in service delivery, and which methods should be followed to raise institutional awareness.

In the training, where participating managers took an active role, practical examples and field experiences were also shared alongside theoretical knowledge.

“Training is important for integrity and system in local government”

Co-Mayor Bucak, who attended the programme, said it was important for municipal managers to take part in such training sessions and stated that they attach importance to training work. Emphasising that learning should continue in every area of life, Bucak said this understanding should also be reflected in municipalities.

Stating that training should not be limited to heads of departments and branch managers, Bucak said the work should be expanded to a wider area. She noted that all topics, from gender equality and behavioural sciences to anger management and legislative training, should be addressed as part of an integrated approach, adding that this would help ensure the desired integrity, seriousness and system in local government services.

“Understanding residents’ needs depends on training and communication”

Co-Mayor Bucak said shortcomings should be addressed through training, pointing to the importance of increasing awareness-raising efforts and providing every possible encouragement in this regard.

Stating that the main purpose of training is to provide better services to residents, Bucak said: “Being able to hear and understand residents’ needs, and respond to them appropriately, is made possible through training. Hearing, understanding, becoming aware and ensuring that this is reflected back to residents is very important. Communication is also one of the fundamental parts of this process.”