Turkish women muhtars commemorate Gül Esin on Women Muhtars Day

On October 26, women muhtars (village/neighborhood heads) in Turkey held events to commemorate the anniversary of women gaining the right to be elected as muhtars in 1933. In Aydın, representatives from Efeler and Nazilli visited the grave of Gül Esin, who made history as Turkey’s first female muhtar after being elected in Demircidere village in 1933.

During the commemoration, Micella Horasan, President of the Nazilli Municipality City Council Women's Assembly, noted that while Gül Esin proved women could lead and solve societal problems, female representation remains low. As of 2024, women account for only 3.3% of muhtars in Turkey.

In Trabzon, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç met with female muhtars to discuss their role in local governance. Genç emphasized that women’s active participation in management processes contributes to social development and strengthens communication between citizens and local authorities.