On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, Malaz Foundation for Women’s Support affirms that democracy is not limited to elections. It is founded on equality, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the right of all persons to participate in public life and decision-making without discrimination.

The Foundation affirms that women’s participation in political and public life is a fundamental citizenship right. This includes the right to vote and stand for election, access information, express opinions, participate in local institutions and councils, and contribute to shaping priorities and decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Malaz believes that guaranteeing this right cannot be achieved through legal provisions alone. It also requires removing barriers that may prevent women from exercising this right in practice, particularly women in rural communities and areas with limited access to information, services, and resources. This must also include addressing discrimination, violence, threats, and defamation that may target women because of their participation in public life.

The Foundation further emphasizes the importance of equal opportunities in accessing information, resources, representative positions, and decision-making spaces, and of ensuring that women’s participation is grounded in knowledge, choice, and the ability to influence—not merely in symbolic or numerical representation.

On the International Day of Democracy, Malaz Foundation for Women’s Support renews its commitment to strengthening women’s knowledge of their rights, supporting their participation in public life, and contributing to the removal of barriers that prevent them from fully exercising their rights, thereby advancing equal citizenship and meaningful participation in society.

Democracy is not complete simply by granting women the right to participate; it requires ensuring their ability to exercise that right and to influence through it.