MIMIHAN HALBIN ZEYDAN

Van — The municipality of the Armeniş district (İpekyolu) in northern Kurdistan transitioned to the administration of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) following the 2024 elections, after the end of the government-appointed trustee period, and began to be managed according to a co-presidency system. Despite the accumulated debts from the trustee period, as well as the appointment of a trustee over the Greater Van Municipality in 2025, the municipality continues its work and projects.

Öznur Evin, a member of the municipal council in the Armeniş district, spoke about the work accomplished over the past two and a half years in the areas of women and youth. She stated that "priority was given to women," noting that "we started with the women's urban garden project, because the patriarchal system has distanced women from the land and confined them to homes. When we took over the municipality, our priority was to bring women from homes to public spaces, so we gave priority to this project."

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She explained that "we established the first garden in the Hatuniye neighborhood, where ten women currently work, and we have received positive feedback. We also meet with women and hold gatherings in neighborhoods to listen to their demands. We start a new garden project every year, and there are currently three women's urban gardens under the municipality, employing around 200 women."

She added that the urban garden opened in the Hatuniye neighborhood was allocated to women displaced by wars, noting that the workers there are women from Afghanistan and Iran. "Women and children are the ones who pay the highest price for wars. For this reason, and because of the ongoing war atmosphere in the Middle East, especially in Iran, in addition to migration waves to Van, we saw the necessity of implementing such a project. Ten refugee women applied, so we allocated this garden to them."

Women's Solidarity Centers

Öznur Evin explained that the municipality has undertaken several initiatives to help women subjected to violence to distance themselves from violent environments and prevent their return to them, noting that the first solidarity center established after the end of the trustee period was the Çelkezi Women's Solidarity Center.

She clarified that "we opened this solidarity center with the aim of providing assistance to women subjected to violence or any form of social pressure. Concurrent with the opening of the center, we signed a protocol of cooperation with the Bar Association to provide legal and judicial support to women exposed to violence. Our municipality is also committed to all agreements that defend women's rights, and we have approved related decisions in the municipal council."

Projects Determined According to Women's Demands

Our interlocutor pointed out that the municipality has opened five women's centers and one women's library over the past two years, explaining that these centers provide spaces for artistic production and training in skills that can contribute to generating economic income for women. She affirmed that the primary goal is to provide an environment that enables women to express themselves more freely in social life, in addition to helping them achieve economic independence.

A Gym in Every Neighborhood

She also explained that the municipality has implemented various initiatives in the sports field, including opening gyms dedicated to women within municipal facilities. "We have received positive feedback from the women using these gyms, and we have a project to establish a women's gym in every neighborhood. Currently, there are four gyms in four neighborhoods, and we will soon open two additional gyms in other neighborhoods."

She added that 2,400 women have benefited from these sports facilities, and two sports centers for children have been established, serving 350 children. "We also provide home sports services for patients and people in need of care or those unable to leave their homes for various reasons. Our trainers visit homes to help these individuals perform necessary exercises, and 120 people currently benefit from this service."

Libraries, Study Centers, and an Athletics Track

She noted the opening of numerous study centers and libraries to support students, in addition to establishing an athletics track for youth, which over 400 young people use free of charge. "The ice skating rink was out of service and needed maintenance, so we rehabilitated and re-opened it. Around 10,000 people can benefit from it annually. In addition, 890 young people were trained in swimming as part of the 'No One Should Remain Who Cannot Swim' campaign. Furthermore, with the arrival of summer, we organize children's festivals in a different neighborhood every week, featuring various games and activities."

What Do Citizens Say About the Municipality's Work?

While the municipality presented its projects for women and youth, our correspondent went to the streets to ask women about their demands from the Armeniş municipality and their views on the services provided.

Student İrem İrmak Kaştaş stated that she uses the library opened by the municipality for students, but she has to use public transportation to reach it, noting that the buses are very crowded.

She added: "Public transportation is very crowded and the number of buses could be increased." She praised the activities held at the library and the teachers' approach, adding that mock exams are conducted to help identify weaknesses. "The only problem is the severe overcrowding inside the library. If there were a larger library, more students could benefit from it."

 

"Green Spaces Are Insufficient"

For her part, Şehriban Arman said she has to spend a full hour to reach the nearest public park because there is no park near her home. "I live in the Hacı Bekir neighborhood, and my home is very far from this place. This is the nearest park I can go to with my friend. It took me a full hour to get here, while my friend only took twenty minutes. Therefore, I cannot benefit from the park as I would like. More green spaces and parks should be created in neighborhoods. In the neighborhood where I live, there is no suitable green space for sitting, nor a park where children can play, despite there being many empty plots that could be utilized."

"Libraries and Study Centers Are Not Enough"

Elisu Demir, on the other hand, felt that the park's area is sufficient, but the facilities within it are inadequate. "There is a children's playground and a skating rink, but there are no spaces allowing children to play other games. A football pitch could be built, for example. It also takes me a long time to get here, and to use the library I have to wake up very early, yet I still cannot find a place."

She added: "I write my name on the waiting list and wait for hours. Yes, there are many libraries, but they are not enough. This year, more than three million students applied for the university entrance exam. I am also a student and need a place to study. If there were a library near my home, I would use it. Therefore, the number of study centers and libraries should be increased."

"Support for Artistic Activities"

Gamze Çekirge stated that study centers and libraries for students are still insufficient. "A very large number of students come here daily, and most of us cannot find a place. We have to register our names and wait in queues. The library here is small, and even if we come early, we cannot find empty seats. On holidays, I have to wake up early just to be able to study, and I always arrive worried about not finding a place. I demand an increase in the capacity of study centers. I also believe that more attention should be given to artistic activities and support should be provided for them."