Following the local elections, the decisions of CHP coastal municipalities to close women’s beaches were met with backlash among citizens. After the decision to close Selimpaşa Women’s Beach in Silivri, Eyüp Municipality opened Çiftalan Beach for mixed use. Similarly, Beykoz Municipality worried citizens by reducing the days of use of Elmasburnu Women’s Beach.
Are Women’s Beaches Illegal?
Among the decisions taken by CHP municipalities after the election is the closure of women’s beaches on the grounds that they are against the law. Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu stated that they made the closure of Selimpaşa Women’s Beach in order to “liberate women”. These decisions have begun to be implemented in a similar manner by other CHP municipalities.
Eyüp Municipality Built a Mixed Beach
Eyüp Municipality has decided to turn women-only beaches into mixed public beaches. Beaches that provide women-only services, such as Çiftalan Beach, have been opened to mixed use in the new period. These decisions have led to discussions among citizens.
Beykoz Municipality Reduced the Days
Beykoz Municipality has victimized citizens by reducing the days of use of Elmasburnu Women’s Beach. The reduction of the days of use of the women’s beach caused reactions among citizens using the beach. Women who value privacy opposed this decision and voiced their demands.
Istanbul Governorship to Open Women’s Beach in Selimpaşa
Those who oppose the decision to close the Selimpaşa Women’s Beach, the only women’s beach on the European side of Istanbul, met with Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. Following the meeting, the governor’s office began work to create a women’s beach and a public beach in Selimpaşa. With this initiative, it is planned to open a new beach for women.
