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ActHuman VI Focuses on Women’s Employment

In Turkiye, the employment of women and their access to the labor market and livelihoods are gaining increasing importance every day.

While women make up 49.9% and men 50.1% of Turkiye’s population, according to the Household Labor Force Survey results, the labor force participation rate for individuals aged 15 and older was 32.8% for women and 70.3% for men in 2021.

Education plays a critical role in women’s participation in the workforce. When examined, only 12.4% of women who are illiterate are part of the workforce, whereas this figure is 65.6% for women who are graduates of higher education.

Studies in this field have the potential to offer new employment opportunities to women from different segments of society, and, importantly, the removal of barriers to women’s employment plays a critical role in the transformation process of the labor market.

Through the collaboration between INGEV and Sabancı University’s Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), the ActHuman Social Inclusion Initiative aims to develop strategies to increase women’s employment and participation in the labor force in its sixth year. Under the title “Women’s Employment and Barriers & Opportunities in the Workforce: A Guide to Moving Forward,” our main goal is to increase women’s representation in the economy and their active participation in decision-making processes.

In this context, we will present social policy recommendations integrating a gender equality perspective with the social policy document to be released in May. These recommendations are expected to facilitate the employment of women and include measures to remove barriers in the workforce. This approach aims to both increase women’s economic independence and contribute to Turkiye’s goals of promoting sustainable development.

The academic coordination of the process is undertaken by Dr. Esra Durceylan Kaygusuz, a faculty member of the Sabancı University Economics Program, while the advisory board meets on April 3rd.

Boosting Social Impact

earthquake region

In Solidarity with Women in the Earthquake Region

We shared the findings of our “Hand in Hand” project, which has been ongoing since November 2022 for young women aged 18-29 who are not in education nor employment (NEET) living in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Mardin, at the Minerva Han, hosted by the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) on February 12th.

We listened to young women participants from the three provinces and other experts who have conducted successful projects in the NEET area.

In the program implementation, we discussed the importance of localization, the necessity of correct NEET segmentation for a proper beneficiary definition, thinking outside of traditional job patterns for women’s employment, the importance of the private sector’s involvement at the local level in all stages from needs assessment to implementation, and establishing a correct balance between home care economy and wage.

In the “Hand in Hand” project, various economic empowerment activities were offered to 110 NEET women in Mardin, Şanlıurfa, and Gaziantep to access the labor force, employment, and livelihoods.

The project included activities such as career webinars, employment counseling, and vocational training certificates approved by e-Devlet (e-Government), and the employment conversion rate was promising.

As of February 2024, within the scope of the project:

  • It was revealed that 372 women living in Gaziantep, Mardin, and Şanlıurfa need support for access to the labor force, employment, and livelihoods.
  • 62 partnership meetings were organized with representatives from relevant public institutions, municipalities, the private sector, and NGOs.
  • 971 women applied for the project to benefit from the offered services; 349 women were selected to participate, and 260 women joined the project’s online platform.
  • 77 NEET women gained knowledge about job searching and applications by participating in various career webinars.
  • 110 NEET women received certificates by completing vocational training courses in Basic Accounting and Digital Marketing, Social Media in October and November 2023.
  • 103 women accessed mentor support through 201 career planning sessions.
  • 97 women aged 18-29 increased their employment participation capacity with career roadmaps prepared together with their mentors.
  • 14 NEET women accessed permanent employment opportunities using the knowledge and skills they acquired.

The “Hand in Hand” project is implemented within the framework of the “Strong Civil Space for Gender Equality” project by UN Women with the financial support of the European Union.

We continue to work to spread “Hand in Hand” throughout Turkiye and to create collaborations in this field with our stakeholders.

“Hand in Hand” Project’s Press Reflections:

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Bridging Entrepreneurs in Şanlıurfa: Bridges

Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in increasing employment. Especially in Southeastern Anatolia region, entrepreneurship is becoming more meaningful with small-scale businesses allowing women to choose their own working hours and places.

Under the “Incubation and Small Grant” Program carried out by INGEV in Şanlıurfa, those who want to become entrepreneurs have continued to receive basic and advanced entrepreneurship training for the last four years.

INGEV, in collaboration with DRC (Danish Refugee Council), provides partial grant support covering the establishment costs for the businesses of entrepreneurs who complete these trainings. Additionally, the project supports new businesses to be more sustainable by providing financial, legal, and business development consultancy services to fresh entrepreneurs.

The Bridges project continues to contribute significantly to the development and social cohesion of Şanlıurfa in its fifth year.

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“Local Impact” for Social Inclusion

In the field of municipal administration, social inclusion is vitally important for enabling individuals from all segments of the community to actively participate in city life. Through inclusive municipal practices, many communities are able to benefit more from urban planning and services, and their quality of life can improve in social harmony.

INGEV has recently started the “Local Impact” (Yerel Etki) project aiming to ensure more comprehensive inclusion of vulnerable groups in both metropolitan and district municipalities without leaving anyone behind.

In the scope of the project, it aims to increase the awareness of social inclusion among mayors and civil society representatives in Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Eyüpsultan, Sarıyer, Ataşehir, Fatih, Sultanbeyli, Kağıthane, Beykoz, Sultangazi districts and to strengthen the capacities of local governments and non-governmental organizations in this context.

With the “Local Impact” project, a social inclusion mapping website will also be established, creating a website that locates institutions serving in the area of social inclusion across Istanbul. Additionally, training in the area of social inclusion will be video graphed, and a social inclusion guidebook will be prepared and shared with local governments as an e-book in September 2024.

The “Local Impact” project, conducted with the support of the Matra Fund of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will play a critical role in understanding the situation of various sensitive groups living within the boundaries of different local governments and taking appropriate actions accordingly.

The views expressed here are solely those of INGEV and therefore do not in any way represent the views of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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Food Entrepreneurship in Kars: “Future in Kars”

The “Future in Kars” (Kars’ta Gelecek Var) project continues, aiming to enable young people living in Kars, especially in rural areas, to access high value-added dairy products production and food entrepreneurship training.

The project offers technical training in “Basic Cheesemaking,” “Gravyer Expertise,” and “Cheese Maturation Methods,” while comprehensive food Entrepreneurship training aims to bring out the entrepreneurial aspects of young people living in Kars.

Supported by the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports and conducted by INGEV under the Rural Area Youth Empowerment Program, the project aims to support young people on their path to becoming entrepreneurs by providing business establishment support to successful participants.

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“Renew Turkiye’s 2030 Climate Goal, Strengthen the Economy”

We at INGEV supported the campaign for the improvement of Turkiye’s 2030 climate goal, conducted by civil society organizations and think tanks operating in the climate field.

Our main demand in the campaign, led by CAN Europe (Climate Action Network Europe), was to update Turkiye’s climate target to “35% absolute emission reduction by 2030.” By taking action to reduce our emissions, we can contribute to global efforts and see the economic benefits of climate action such as fighting inflation, energy independence, and new employment opportunities.

The scientific and main basis for the demand of “35% absolute emission reduction by 2030” was the “Turkiye’s Decarbonization Roadmap: Net Zero by 2050” study prepared by the Istanbul Policy Center in 2021.

In the communication activities of the campaign, we focused on the economic benefits of climate action in both our published videos and social media posts.

https://birbucukderece.com/guclu-bir-iklim-hedefinin-turkiye-ye-faydalari

Highlighted videos from the campaign:

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Causes of Violence Against Women in Southeast of Turkiye

INGEV TAM (Social Research Center), in collaboration with its partners in southeastern Turkiye, particularly KAMER, addresses violence against women as an urgent issue. This work is conducted under CARE International Turkiye’s program to combat violence against women, financed by ECHO. The aim is to comprehensively identify the patterns of violence against women in the Southeast of Turkiye.

The research highlights the seriousness of the situation by identifying barriers to reporting instances of violence and seeking support, as well as the root causes of the violence. This provides the necessary insights and recommendations for developing effective intervention strategies.

Some striking findings from the research include:

  • Violence against women is triggered by patriarchal power imbalances. Including men and boys in gender-transformative programs is critical. Additionally, programs promoting “responsible fatherhood” support healthier lifestyles.
  • Community-focused interventions contribute more meaningfully to effective intervention strategies by strengthening community ties beyond individual assistance.
  • Psychosocial support groups promote a sense of safety and empowerment among women by providing a platform for daily interaction, problem sharing, and the exchange of current information.
  • The changing nature of social perceptions underscores the importance of long-term support services.
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We Moved to Our New Office in Şanlıurfa!

We have moved to our brand-new office located in the center of Şanlıurfa, which is easily accessible and has a friendly atmosphere, and all preparations have been meticulously completed!

Everything is ready in our brand-new office! Along with a comfortable conference room that can accommodate 30 people, the staff room has been arranged to comfortably accommodate up to four people.

In our reception area, there is a space where you can take a break while examining brochures about our project! Our meeting room is equipped for all kinds of meetings, and our large kitchen is ready to offer delicious snacks during events and trainings. In our new office, we again have a common workspace available for entrepreneurs with limited or no access to computers and internet.

In our children’s room, we have created a special area for babies and children; a place where they can comfortably sleep and enjoy their time!

We eagerly anticipate this center to become a beneficial support point for everyone and a continuous meeting spot for entrepreneurs in Şanlıurfa!

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ActHuman Human Development Awards presented on May 3rd

At the event hosted by INGEV, Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen received the “Sustained Success Human Development Award”…

The İNGEV ActHuman Human Development Awards did not forget those who made a difference in the fight against earthquakes. A special section was reserved for this purpose.

In his opening speech, İNGEV President Vural Çakır explained the reasons for the ActHuman Human Development Award as follows:

“Human development is a fundamental vision that redefines human well-being and links development to this goal. Its theoretical foundations were laid by Nobel economist Amartya Sen. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has been working for the last 30 years to develop and spread this concept. 

Human well-being is a whole consisting of quality living standards, quality access to services such as health and education, freedom of expression, human agency, and new generation human rights such as environmental rights and digital rights. While human development offers a vision to the world, the Sustainable Development Goals largely link this vision to concrete goals. Thus, a road map for humanity emerges.

However, humanity has not performed well in taking firm steps forward on this roadmap, especially in recent years. On the contrary, we are going through an intertwined complex of uncertainties and precariousness. We are even regressing.

Wars and forced migrations are making our lives more and more difficult. Inequalities are deepening in all areas: individuals, people, countries, workers, sexual identities.  In the words of the Secretary General of the United Nations, we are on the highway to climate catastrophe without taking our foot off the gas. At the end of this whole process, we no longer know whether worse days or brighter days await us. But there is one thing we are sure of.

We, the people, will determine which one it will be.

The ActHuman Human Development Awards aim to highlight the people and human behaviors that can lead us to brighter times, and propose them as role models.

We would like to thank each and every one of them for setting an example and guiding us.

We offer our love and respect.”

Awards

ActHuman Sustained Success Special Award

Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen, Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, who has made a great difference in every task he has undertaken, from RTÜK executive to Anadolu University Rector and Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality,

Who has transformed Eskişehir into an exemplary city for Turkey and the world,

Who has always taken care to embrace and unite the whole society while achieving all these successes and who has displayed an exemplary personality model, was given the Sustained Success Human Development Award.

The award was presented by İNGEV President Vural Çakır and Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center Director Prof. Dr. Fuat Keyman.

 

ActHuman Human Development Awards

In the special section for disaster support, Mert Fırat, Haluk Levent and the Turkish Psychologists Association received awards, while 5 names were given awards on behalf of all search and rescue and medical teams who have been working hard to save our citizens in the region since the February 6 earthquake, regardless of which institution they work for.

The Embassy of Greece received an award on behalf of more than 70 countries and 16 international organizations that came to Turkey’s aid after the earthquake and supported search and rescue efforts.

Human Development Awards were presented to Şengül Akçar for her contributions to supporting women’s entrepreneurship and evaluating women’s labor; to Fidan Ataselim and Gülsüm Kav Önal for their efforts in preventing femicides; to Validebağ Volunteers for protecting Validebağ from construction in the name of protecting nature and living life in Turkey; and to Jin Davod, who developed herself and contributed to her community in Turkey, where she had to migrate from Aleppo as a child.

On the evening of May 3rd, ActHuman Human Development Awards were determined by the votes of INGEV Executive Board and Coordination Board members in line with the list of candidates prepared by the secretariat of INGEV.

The list was made up of people whose work on issues within the concept of human development stood out and a special section was reserved for the fight against earthquakes.

 At the Event:

  • While the whole country prayed for the rescue of those trapped under the rubble, search and rescue teams and paramedics tried to follow every breath, every sound. On behalf of the search and rescue and health teams who pulled thousands of people out of the rubble, healed them and saved their lives, regardless of the organization they worked for, Human Development Awards were presented to Miner İlker Aksakal, Miner Muzaffer Meme, Firefighter Cuma Yarar, Doctor Fatma Handemir and Nurse Elif Felek. TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan presented the awards.
  • Pınar Türenç, President of the Press Council, presented the award to Cem Şafak Çukur on behalf of the Turkish Psychologists Association, which has provided active support with 1,500 volunteers in and outside the earthquake zone since the first days of the earthquake, helping over ten thousand children, adolescents and adults to cope with the devastation.
  • In the face of the great earthquake disaster, the international community showed great solidarity, especially in search and rescue operations, and Turkey received support from 76 countries and 16 international organizations. TÜRKONFED President Süleyman Sönmez presented an award to the Embassy of Greece representing the solidarity shown by the international community to Turkey in the fight against the disaster.
  • Mert Fırat, an artist and civil society leader who has been demonstrating his social contributions through artist solidarity, cooperatives and UNDP Goodwill Ambassadorship since the first day in the earthquake zone with İhtiyaç Haritası, was presented his award by Vural Çakır, President of INGEV, together with Gülseren Onanç, President of SES Association.
  • Haluk Levent, Founder and Director of the Ahbap Association, was also awarded on behalf of all the supporting non-governmental organizations for his leadership in the fight against disaster, which has made a great contribution to the work in the earthquake region since the first day through the Ahbap Association he founded. Haluk Levent published a video message for the event.
  • KEDV Founder and Director Şengül Akçar was presented with the award by KAGIDER President Emine Erdem for her pioneering work in supporting women’s entrepreneurship and evaluating women’s labor.
  • While 381 women were killed last year and 4,086 women were killed in the last 15 years, the Istanbul Convention was abandoned in 2022 and Law No. 6284 became one of the most important items of agenda discussed in Turkey Celal Korkut, President of TÜSES, presented awards to Gülsüm Kav Önal and Fidan Ataselim for their great efforts on every platform to prevent femicides in this difficult environment.
  • While our country, like the world, is experiencing all the effects of climate change, the earthquake disaster once again showed how vital the relationship between construction and nature is. On behalf of all local communities struggling to protect nature and living life all over our country, Validebağ Volunteers who protected Validebağ from construction were presented an award by Özlem Katısöz, CAN Europe (European Climate Action Network) Turkey Manager.
  • The Humanitarian Development Award was presented to Jın Davod, who improved herself in Turkey, where she took refuge as a child under great difficulty while 4 million individuals fleeing the Syrian civil war were trying to build a life for themselves under many financial and psychological difficulties, and contributed to the society she was in by helping those around her and those in need. Jın received the award from Vural Çakır on behalf of all immigrants