First Kurdish woman runs for MP in Australia
Dilvan Yildiz Bircan launched her campaign in Sydney as the first Kurdish woman to run for MP in Australia.
Dilvan Yildiz Bircan launched her campaign in Sydney as the first Kurdish woman to run for MP in Australia.
The campaign launch event, marked by a large and energetic turnout, drew significant attention from key figures and supporters of the Australian Labour Party (ALP).
Among those present were New South Wales Upper House member Peter Primrose, former MP Laurie Ferguson, Immanuel Selvara, several local government representatives, and Liverpool City Councillor Mira Ibrahimi.
The Sydney Democratic Kurdish Community Centre (DKTM) also participated in the event with strong public support. In her speech, DKTM co-chair Ronahî Qendîl said: "The Kurdish people, and especially Kurdish women, have been fighting for visibility and representation for many years. Today, a Kurdish woman stepping into politics with such courage is not only a candidacy, it is also the voice of our identity, our language, our culture, and our struggle for freedom. We are proud of Dilvan."
Dilvan Yildiz Bircan, the Australian-born daughter of a Kurdish family that migrated from the Sarız district of Kayseri to Australia in 1973, emphasized in her speech that she began her political journey with the strength and support she received from the Kurdish community in Australia.
Dilvan Yildiz Bircan stated that her campaign is centered on the real and current needs of voters living in the Mitchell electorate. She said: "This candidacy is not just mine, it belongs to all of us. I am here to be a voice for different segments of society, to make visible the issues that have been ignored for years, and to find solutions together. I do not only want to represent people. I want to truly listen and walk this path together."
At the event, the campaign team also highlighted the importance of volunteerism. Emphasizing that volunteer support will be crucial in the coming critical weeks, including early voting, field outreach, and election day activities, participants were invited to take an active role in the campaign.