EKB (Labouring Women League), representing one of the important organisations of our country's Democratic Women Movement, has organised its 3rd General Meeting on 16-17 July in Istanbul. Having organised in certain cities of our country and bearing 13 years of history in the struggle, EKB have also organised local assemblies in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana, Mersin and Bursa during preparation period for the general meeting.

The local assemblies that witnessed the enthusiastic and advancing debates on the democratic women struggle were joined by women coming from factories, schools and suburbs. The organisation of local assemblies is also carried out via commissions and councils. In the local assemblies, where constructive discussions took place on how to set wide connections with woman masses and how to enrich forms and methods of the struggle, it is being emphasized that commissions and councils are the main tools for insuring EKB's democratic functioning and localisation. In the assemblies where women have shown their desire to discuss and overcome their problems, the labouring women also elected their own management committees.

The 3rd General meeting has turned into a platform where thoughts and experiences on the EKB's structure, function and the problems of getting organised are expressed and where criticism and self-criticism are made. In the general meeting attended by 120 delegates from Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, Izmir, Mersin, Bursa, Hatay and Eskisehir, following issues were discussed: "The functioning and structure of EKB", "The problems of getting organised and localisation", "Forms and Methods of Struggle", "Political line and the budget of EKB bulletin" and etc. The general meeting lasted for two days and many women have made speeches on the podium and shared their thoughts and experiences.

At the opening speech made on behalf of EKB, it is being stated that EKB has to be a force that delivers socialism to women, the labouring women cannot be influenced only by central campaigns, the localisation and dealing with local issues is an obligation and only the continuity and persistence can develop the work.

During discussions on "The functioning and structure of EKB", the councils and commissions were discussed as the EKB's democratic and mass grounds. The women, who made speech, denounced the problems they are facing in the local areas and positive experiences they gained after forming commissions. It is being stated that, other than commissions, in relation to the local problems, there can be created various organisations such as cooperatives, women unions, women solidarity houses and health centres for women. Women resisting against the government's demolition attack on the shanty-houses in different neighbourhoods of Istanbul have also carried their experiences to the general meeting. One of the decisions taken at the end of discussion is to select pilot areas to work and try new tools in these areas. The other point is to concentrate on getting contributions of the locals both for preparation of articles of the EKB bulletin and its distribution.

The young women have also carried their problems and experiences of working among young women to the meeting.

The meeting, where imprisoned woman communists also participated through their messages, ended after the election of EKB's new management committee. In the newly elected management committee, there are women who took part in the former EKB activities and from Socialist Platform of the Oppressed ESP , Textile-Union, Socialist Youth Association and Student Women's Association.