European Union and UN Women join forces to provide financial and technical support to 22 civil society organizations

UN Women announced the civil society organizations that it will partner with and provide financial and technical support within the framework of the “Strengthening Civil Society Capacities and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Advance Women's Rights and Gender Equality in Turkey” Project financed by the European Union.

22 civil society organizations from 17 provinces across Turkey on 8 December came together for an award ceremony with the participation of Asya Varbanova, UN Women Turkey Country Director and Eleftheria Pertzinidou, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Turkey.

Speaking at the award ceremony, UN Women Turkey Country Director Asya Varbanova said: “Women’s movement and women’s civil society organizations have been pioneers of significant change both on a national and international level. The power and determination of civil society in Turkey in implementing international norms and standards is especially important.” Stressing civil society’s seminal role in creating equal societies by supporting women’s leadership, agency and voices, Varbanova said: “Women’s civil society organizations are among the most strategic partners of UN Women, and we will continue supporting civil society organizations.”

Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Turkey and Minister Counsellor Eleftheria Pertzinidou said: “The project focuses on key priorities for advancing women’s rights: promoting the economic, social and political empowerment of women and girls, as well as combating gender-based violence. It also has the added-value of strengthening the dialogue between public institutions and civil society organisations. Thanks to the partnership with UN Women, we are able to support 22 Turkish civil society organisations in the field of gender equality.”

UN Women, in partnership with Flying Broom Foundation, Foundation for Solidarity with Women (KADAV), KAMER Foundation, the Turkish Women Union and will implement joint projects on ending violence against women and girls and women’s access to justice and human rights mechanisms. Flying Broom Foundation will support women’s access to justice by providing free online legal counselling to women as well as trainings targeted at lawyers. Foundation for Solidarity with Women will work with women who are at risk of violence and have challenges in accessing support mechanisms in Istanbul. KAMER Foundation will provide support to women survivors of violence through its branches in 23 provinces as well as its 17 partner civil society organizations. Turkish Women Union will work to increase women’s access to justice in partnership with women counselling centers of municipalities and bar associations.

UN Women will further support 18 women’s organizations and women-led civil society organizations through “small grants” in order to strengthen their capacities to advance women’s rights and gender equality. The civil society organizations received small grants are:

Antalya Women's Counseling Center and Solidarity Association

Aramızda, the Association for Gender Research

Fethiye Women's Counseling and Solidarity Association

Freedom and Equality to Women Association

Gülpınar Sustainable Living Association

Housewives Solidarity and Development Association

International Federation of Business and Professional Women

International Migrant Women's Solidarity Association

Kütahya Entrepreneur and Artist Women Association

LifeHouse Women’s Solidarity Association

Lotus Women's Solidarity and Life Association

Midyat Women's Social Assistance and Solidarity Association

Ordu Women's Empowerment Association

Roma Women’s Rights and Equality Association

Sil Baştan, Association for Combating Violence Against Women and Child Abuse

Syrian Women Association

Syrian Women’s Network

Women Movement Association at the Rural Region

Implemented by UN Women, the “Strengthening Civil Society Capacities and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Advance Women's Rights and Gender Equality in Turkey” project will continue until March 2024. The project is financed by the European Union under the “Civil Society Facility and Media Programme” with approximately EUR 4,5 million funding. The project aims to contribute to advancing women’s rights and gender equality in Turkey by supporting civil society.