Beach wall separating men and women could return next year

KOCAELİ

DHA Photo

A wall that separated a women’s only section of a beach from the rest of the coast in the Marmara province of Kocaeli was recently taken down but the barrier could return next summer, private broadcaster NTV reported.
 
While no official confirmation has come from Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, officials removing the wall reportedly told locals that it would return next season.
 
The municipality installed wooden screens around a section of the beach to establish a women’s only beach area, but locals have objected to the project.
 
Locals living in areas behind the screens sought to hamper construction efforts while others joined efforts to stop the establishment of the segregated beach. Some covered women also actively supported the petition to stop the construction.
 
Despite strong opposition, the municipality said the wall was built in response to strong demand from residents.
 
"Women who don’t want to go to beaches where both men and women are present made a special request … and asked for a beach. We are happy to have such a request and to fulfill it,” a written statement from Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality had said.