Women's increasing detachment in Neukölln, as signaled by the local integration officer.
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In a recent interview with Der Spiegel, Güner Balci, Berlin's Integration Officer and a renowned writer, journalist, and filmmaker, expressed her concerns about the growing gender segregation in Neukölln, a district in Berlin.
According to Balci, the worlds of boys and girls in Neukölln have become increasingly separated, with girls largely invisible except when they take their younger siblings to kindergarten or go shopping with their mothers. This separation, she explained, is due to the influence of traditional gender roles and patriarchal structures, as well as the impact of radical Islamic ideologies brought by migrant communities, particularly those from Lebanon.
Balci highlighted that the influx of migrant families with patriarchal customs and the rise of numerous mosques oriented towards reactionary views have contributed to this segregation. She cited the presence of nearly 30 mosques in Neukölln, many of which are linked to extremist networks, as evidence of this shift.
One concerning practice Balci mentioned is the offering of marriage counseling for 14-year-old girls by some imams, who find it acceptable for a man to take a second wife. This, she argued, reflects a reversal of assimilation and challenges the free Western democratic society.
Balci also expressed her concerns about the marginalization of women in Neukölln, which she believes has worsened over time. She noted that single mothers without support have been a long-standing issue in the district.
The consequences of this gender segregation, Balci stated, include a significant segregation of women from public life, a reversal of integration and assimilation processes, threats to Western democratic societal values, and safety concerns for residents, including her own family.
Balci criticized the politics for often recognizing what's happening in Neukölln too late. She emphasized that insufficient government intervention and possible misuse of public funding have allowed daycare centers linked to these mosques to operate, further exacerbating the situation.
Balci's book "Heimatland", published by Berlin Verlag on August 1, 2021, sheds light on these issues and her experiences in Neukölln. Despite these challenges, Balci remains committed to promoting integration and advocating for the rights of women in Neukölln.
- Balci's concerns extend beyond gender segregation, delving into the realm of lifestyle, highlighting the separation of boys and girls in Neukölln.
- This segregation, Balci argues, is a result of traditional gender roles, patriarchal structures, and radical Islamic ideologies, particularly from Lebanese migrant communities.
- In Neukölln, girls are largely invisible in public life, only appearing to take their younger siblings to kindergarten or accompany their mothers for shopping trips.
- The influx of migrant families with patriarchal customs and the rise of reactionary mosques have exacerbated this segregation in the district.
- Balci criticizes the offering of marriage counseling for 14-year-old girls by some imams, which she considers a reversal of assimilation and a challenge to Western democratic society.
- Balci also addresses the marginalization of women in Neukölln, noted as a long-standing issue in the district, particularly for single mothers without support.
- The consequences of gender segregation, as Balci states, include significant segregation of women from public life, a reversal of integration and assimilation processes, threats to Western democratic societal values, and safety concerns for residents.
- Balci's book, "Heimatland", published by Berlin Verlag on August 1, 2021, provides insight into these issues and her experiences in Neukölln.
- In addition to her concerns about gender segregation, Balci is committed to promoting integration and advocating for the rights of women in Neukölln.
- Balci's work extends beyond Neukölln, as she is a renowned writer, journalist, and filmmaker, involved in various aspects of fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and education-and-self-development.
- Balci's personal-growth and career-development journeys have equipped her with skills essential for their job-search and skills-training, enabling her to make a meaningful impact in her community.
- Balci's concerns about safety in Neukölln extend to other aspects of life, and she advocates for weather forecasting to ensure the public is informed about impending weather conditions.
- Balci's interests are not limited to local matters, as she also follows sports, particularly football and golf, and has opinions on sports-betting, European leagues, racing, mixed-martial-arts, and sports-analysis.
