‘Women’s Representation in İstanbul Municipal Administration Rises from 0 to 25 Percent’

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The new administration of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality was shared with the public in a meeting today (August 8).

Accordingly, among the ones who will work with İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu are Assistant Secretary Generals Şengül Altan Arslan, Yeşim Meltem Şişli, Media Inc. executive İpek Elif Atayman, Sinem Serhan Dedetaş appointed to the Directorate General of City Lines and Chair of İstanbul Personnel Management Joint Stock Company Banu Saraçlar.

Kaftancıoğlu: Not enough, but yes

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu has spoken to bianet about the growing representation of women in the administration of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality:

"The women's struggle of women executives is a long-term struggle like other struggles. And this struggle is a struggle that will be waged with not only women, but with everyone who believes in gender equality.

"I do not accept the sentences demanding something saying 'This and this should be done' instead of raising the struggle especially in terms of women's struggle and representation of women in politics.

"Within this context, considering that women's representation at senior positions of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality has increased from 0 percent to 25 percent with the recent appointments, I regard it as a gain and say that - for now - it is not enough, but yes.

"We, the women, are the ones who produce; until we also become the ones who lead, we will continue struggling :) but not grumbling."

İmamoğlu signalled it before the elections

Before the March 31 local elections this year, CHP's İstanbul Metropolitan Mayoral candidate İmamoğlu went to Sancaktepe district as part of his election campaign on March 8 Women's Day.

Making a speech there, İmamoğlu stressed the importance of women in society and work life and stated the following:

"Around 3 percent of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality personnel are women, the rate in senior positions is a disaster.

"I promise you: We will increase the rate of women working for the municipality to at least 35-40 percent." (EMK/SD)