By the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a free beach, open exclusively to women, will be opened in the Sarısu district of Antalya, the city's mayor, Mr. Menderes Türel, announced on July 16, MK-Turkey reports.
The mayor of Antalya emphasized that the first women's beaches in Turkey were established during the reign of the first president of the Republic, Ataturk, in the 30s, and that now is the time to revive this practice.
According to Turel, establishing a separate beach with free access for Muslim women, adherents of any other religion, or atheists would be in line with the Turkish Constitution, which calls for equal rights. As an example, the official cited the recent opening of another famous beach in Antalya, Konyaalti, to free access for everyone and the installation of special equipment (wheelchair lifts, special changing rooms, sun loungers, etc.) to ensure comfortable recreation for people with disabilities.
At the end of his speech, the mayor of Antalya noted that the development of a women's beach in Sarisu will not affect accessibility to other city beaches for women. They will simply now have a choice: go to the public beach or visit the women's beach, which is preferable for Muslim women due to strict Sharia law regarding prying male eyes.
