Women’s Counselling Center becomes a canvas for an artwork depicting women’s solidarity

UN Women, in partnership with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, paints the walls of the Women’s Counselling Center at Gençlik Park to draw attention to gender-responsive municipal services. Painted by mural artists Ayça Atbaş Özen and Hediye Begüm Tatar, “Women to Women” stresses gender equality and women’s solidarity.

UN Women and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality once again stress the importance of gender equality through a joint mural initiative. Inspired by the interactive and gender-responsive Purple Map application, mural artists Ayça Atbaş Özen and Hediye Begüm Tatar painted the walls of Women Counselling Center at Gençlik Park, Ankara. Entitled “Women to Women”, the mural raises awareness on gender-responsive municipal services and is a tribute to women’s solidarity.

The Purple Map was developed by UN Women, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) and launched for public use in December 2020. The Women’s Counselling Center hosting the mural was opened in September 2021 based on the demands, needs and feedback of women living in Ankara sent through the Purple Map application.

Speaking at the opening event, UN Women Turkey Director Asya Varbanova said: “I am happy to be here today at the Women’s Counselling Center which is a result of the Purple Map application that recently filled its first-year anniversary. The location of the Center was decided based on the needs of women living in Ankara sent through the Purple Map application. Local authorities have an important responsibility in meeting the different needs of women and girls; and innovative applications like the Purple Map play a key role in determining these needs and generating data for developing gender-responsive services. Painted on the walls and columns of the Center, this mural will raise awareness about the Purple Map and gender equality and contribute to transformative change through art.”

In his opening speech, Ambassador of Sweden in Turkey H.E. Staffan Herrström said: “As Swedes we are proud to be a part of this 16 Days initiative every year. We have worked closely in partnership with UN Women and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality with significant results and public outreach. These 16 days of activism are important – but they are not enough. We need another 349 days. Days of action and days of change. Days of political and economic empowerment of women. Days when child, early and forced marriages are prevented and stopped. Days when violent men change their mindsets and behavior. Days when perpetrators are brought to justice and victims are protected and supported. Days when our daughters can face the same opportunities as our sons. Activism is needed. Every year, every day, everywhere.”

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Reşit Serhat Taşkınsu stressed the municipality’s comprehensive partnerships with the United Nations, universities and women’s CSOs since they took office and added: “The Purple Map application, marked by today’s opening, is extremely important for us because we have launched Turkey’s first digital women’s map for women. The Purple Map is a social risk mapping that was developed to meet the different needs and priorities of women and men, and to contribute to the efficient use of public funding and meet the different needs of cities. Our goal from now on is to scale Purple Map as a model for local authorities.”

In her opening speech, Vice Chairperson of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) Necla Zarakol said: “Purple Map is a revolutionary tool as it is the first mapping tool in Turkey developed to provide gender-responsive services to women and girls.”

Women are stronger together

Speaking at the opening event, mural artists Ayça Atbaş Özen and Hediye Begüm Tatar stressed the importance of women’s solidarity which helped them overcome the challenges of navigating in Turkey as women artists, and said: “We think mural art makes it possible to meet citizens from different backgrounds with art, contributing to a positive change in society’s view on aesthetics and art. The mural we painted on the walls of the Women’s Counselling Center at Gençlik Park portrays a woman, containing a multitude of women inside her, stressing the power of women coming together in solidarity. Just like the different women who use the Purple Map. We think the mural will play an important role in the integration of the Center in society by engaging with the citizens.”

“Women to Women”

“Women to Women” portrays a woman, containing a multitude of women inside her. The artwork stresses the power of women coming together in solidarity. Each of them unique but also many. Behind her is a lotus flower, depicting rebirth and abundance. It reminds us not to give up and start anew. Fireflies connect the figures on the wall, columns, and floor, illuminating the path of the visitors. It reminds us that women are not alone. On each column are women from different cultures, bearing motifs representing their local culture.

Purple Map makes women’s needs visible

The interactive Purple Map website was developed to respond to the different needs and priorities of women, men, elderly and all segments of the society through gender responsive policies, and developing the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality’s services accordingly.

Purple Map aims to improve women’s access to various needs and services such as safety, daycare centers, social funding and to make the city safer for women.