It focuses on supporting young women who are neither in education nor employment (NEET) to join the workforce.
INGEV has provided professional training to 110 earthquake-affected women in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, and Mardin, and offered career counseling to 100 women.
INGEV’s Eleleyiz project targets the economic empowerment of NEET women. Launched in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, and Mardin, the project seeks to increase employment among women affected by the earthquake. To date, career mentorship has been provided to 11,000 women, and 100 women have received vocational training in digital marketing, social media management, and basic accounting. The Eleleyiz project is conducted under the EU-funded “Strong Civil Space for Gender Equality” initiative implemented by UN Women.
The project focuses on NEET women aged 18-29, aiming to enhance their vocational skills through professional training. The comprehensive need analysis, training, mentorship, and consultancy form the core of the project, which is evolving into a significant model for empowering young women economically in Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, and Mardin.
The need analysis highlights the urgent and critical nature of the vocational and post-earthquake needs of NEET women. According to this analysis:
- 71% of previously employed NEET women cite low wages, 59% mention uninsured work, and 26% refer to caregiving responsibilities as reasons for not continuing in the workforce.
- 79% of job-seeking NEET young women are unaware of where to seek support for joining the workforce.
- 59% of these women rely on acquaintances for job hunting.
- Only 13% are aware of online job search methods.
- 11% know how to write a CV, and 10% understand how to conduct a successful job interview.
- Just 6% have knowledge about accessing vocational training or internship opportunities.
- 53% need guidance on finding employment, and 45% require support in vocational training.
The project involves collaboration with local governments, NGOs, business organizations, public representatives, universities, and other stakeholders. The “Eleleyiz” Model, linking education with employment, also provides these young women with individual, goal-oriented counseling.
Hande Soğancılar, the INGEV Eleleyiz project coordinator, states that the project aims to help women gain economic independence by joining the workforce. INGEV invites all local stakeholders in the region to collaborate, supporting the employment of these young women, both professionally and socially competent. The empowerment of economically inactive women will continue in other cities.
Under the “Eleleyiz” project, 110 women in Mardin, Şanlıurfa, and Gaziantep have received vocational training. These trainings, determined through comprehensive workshops in the region, aim to enhance employability in digital marketing, social media management, and basic accounting. Participating young NEET women gained sector-specific skills and received e-government approved certificates upon completion. Additionally, 100 women have received career mentorship, including professional support in job search strategies and CV preparation. These sessions, where participants created a 5-year career roadmap, included mentorship from prominent figures in the job market.
To read the anaylsis:
https://ingev.org/reports/Eleleyiz-INGEV-Need-Analysis-of-NEET-Women-2023.pdf