The First and Only Female Muhtar of Kilis: Elif Demir

In the village of Dorucak, affiliated with the Musabeyli district of Kilis, Elif Demir, who was elected as the first and only female muhtar of the district in a muhtar election where 2 candidates participated, set an example for women in the district with her courage and success. Muhtar Elif Demir both works in the fields and serves as the muhtar.

Demir: “Women Can Do Everything”

In the Local Administrations Elections held on March 31, where 2 muhtar candidates from Dorucak village, affiliated with the Musabeyli district, participated, Elif Demir, who received 65 out of 116 valid votes, was awarded the title of the first and only female muhtar of the district. Demir, a mother of 6 children, stated that women perform the duty of muhtar better. Demir manages both household chores, works in the fields, and governs a village.

“I am the only female muhtar among 46 villages”

Elif Demir, who is the first and only female muhtar among the 46 villages affiliated with Kilis’ Musabeyli district, said, “Even today, they always exclude us by saying that women cannot be muhtars. In my opinion, women can do everything. A woman can wash the dishes, work in the fields, take care of her home, and sometimes become a member of parliament, sometimes a mayor. My biggest goal was to become a muhtar, and I achieved it. My second goal is to become the mayor of the district,” she said.

“Sometimes we wash the dishes, sometimes we work in the mountains, sometimes we become muhtars and members of parliament”

Muhtar Assistant Feride Sarıyıldız, who lives in the village of Dorucak, affiliated with the Musabeyli district of Kilis and is one of 15 siblings, said, “I couldn’t go to school because my family did not allow it. I send my daughter to school because I trust her and she needs to study. I was restricted in every aspect by my family in the past, and in the last elections, I became the first candidate as an assistant in the village where I was restricted. By giving full support to the muhtar candidate Elif Demir, whom I know very well, as in the previous term, we surpassed the other male candidate and were elected as muhtar in the village. We women sometimes wash the dishes, sometimes work in the mountains, sometimes become muhtars and members of parliament. She became the only female muhtar in the Musabeyli district with 46 villages. I was very scared, but nothing happened; women should never be afraid,” she said.