Gülistan Sönük, the newly elected co-mayor of Batman (Êlih) from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, marked her election victory as a testament to the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ philosophy, a triumph over the constraint of women within narrow societal roles.
The 31 March local elections were a pivotal moment for Kurdish-majority cities, particularly Batman, where the populace reclaimed municipalities from government-appointed trustees imposed after the 2019 elections.
Batman, historically known for its troubled past, including a surge in unresolved deaths of women dubbed as ‘honour suicides’, now celebrates a significant victory of the women’s liberation movement. In the fiercely contested election, Sönük garnered widespread support, notably defeating candidates from Islamist Free Cause Party (HÜDA-PAR) and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), with the DEM Party achieving 64.52% of the vote.
Sönük highlighted psychological warfare faced during the elections, aimed at disrupting the democratic spirit and resilience of the patriotic public. The success of the co-mayorship model, with the leadership jointly appointed to a woman and a man, according to Sönük demonstrates a resounding endorsement of gender equality. Women’s active participation in the electoral process underscored the community’s rejection of misogynistic narratives, firmly establishing Batman’s commitment to a governance rooted in gender equality.
