In the scope of the agenda topic regarding the establishment of the ‘Directorate of Women and Family Services’ affiliated to Bodrum Municipality, the resolution passed by the Bodrum Municipal Council of 2022 - Ordinary December Meeting.

In the Article 13 of the ‘Bodrum Municipality - Ordinary Municipal Council Meeting of December 2022’, the agenda topic regarding the establishment of the ‘Directorate of Women and Family Services’ and the integration of this department into the municipal organization chart was discussed and unanimously accepted.

Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum emphasized how significant the number of the population in Bodrum is for a new municipal directorate to be established, explaining the regulation must be suitable by law in terms of the population. Having emphasized the importance of a new directorate to be established regarding women rights & family services within the scope of this issue, Mr. Mayor Aras stated that all the works and operations of the ‘Directorate of Studies & Projects’ are already being run in cooperation with the ‘Directorate of Civil Works’. Within this scope, in order to create space in municipal organization chart regarding the establishment of a new directorate based on the local governmental regulations related to the limited sub-province population, the municipal council agenda topic of the ordinary municipal council meeting of December 2022 regarding all the activities and operations of ‘Directorate of Studies & Projects’ to be run under the the ‘Directorate of Civil Works’ was unanimously accepted. Concerning the agenda topic of the municipal council meeting, Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum said:

“The Directorate to be established shall be a very important gain for women”

“Based on the conditions of today's Türkiye, it has become indispensable to establish the ‘Directorate of Women and Family Services’. We already founded a women’s shelter, established the ‘Gender Equality Bureau’ and ‘Women’s Solidarity Center’ and afterwards we already prepared ‘Local Equality Action Plan’; but we were in great need of a department, by which all this operation and these activities can be run corporate. Considering the limited number of municipal directorates, we haven’t been able to establish a new directorate. As you all know, the number of municipal staff is depending on the number of municipal council members. All the activities and operations of the ‘Directorate of Studies & Projects’ is already being run in cooperation with the ‘Directorate of Civil Works’. We came to a decision of closing the ‘Directorate of Studies & Projects’ in our municipal organization chart and establishing the ‘Directorate of Women and Family Services’. A Directorate of Women and Family Services to be established in Bodrum is a very important gain for women. I appreciate all the efforts they have made. So far, this story has become the most obvious example of that the civil society is pushing the municipal departments to be more active regarding this vital issue. In this very special month, when the right to vote and stand for election for women given by Atatürk was annually celebrated, I do appreciate the strong women for their very important efforts.”

A New Commission for Stray Animals Has Been Founded

Having stated that there are some troubles currently discussed by the civil society regarding the protection and care of stray animals, Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum said, “There are some problems, especially in rehabilitation centers waiting to be solved. As Bodrum Municipality, we run two rehabilitation centers and one Contraception Center. We motivate people and municipal council members to visit these facilities and to inspect the activities of them as well. In Bodrum we have a working group for the protection of the rights to life of animals affiliated to the City Council and NGOs carrying out activities regarding stray animals. We need supports of yours for better treatment and better care for stray animals.  This is why we are demanding this department to be founded to run all the operations of the related bureaus. The Directorate of Veterinary Affairs of Bodrum Municipality shall be at service in cooperation with you and meet the demands of yours. In Conclusion you shall share the activites of your directorate with us here in municipal council meetings.”

With the bill accepted by the Municipal Council, it was decided to found the ‘Bodrum Municipality - Animal Rights Commission’ for stray animals, our best friends. It has been decided that Özden Baysal, Ocean Şahin, Cafer Doğan, Aşkınparmak, İsmail Uslu, Numan Cömert and Bahattin Kul will be the members of the Animal Rights Commission to be founded.

President Aras Reissued His Call

Having reissued his call regarding for the adoption of stray animals, our best friends, Ahmet Aras, the Mayor of Bodrum said:

“The Issue about stray animals is about to reach a critical level in Bodrum, because there has been an increase in stray animals. There is great need for them to be neutered, chipped and adopted. If you are feeding stray animals in your neighborhood, please register them on municipal system make them adopted pets. Let us remind each other that we must chip our pets until the end of December.”