Gender Equality Fund
The Gender Equality Fund supports civil society organisations (CSOs) in Türkiye that promote women’s rights and gender equality. The fund supports projects, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives of CSOs, as well as the organisational development of women’s and LGBTI+ organisations. The fund was launched in 2019 in partnership with the Support Foundation for Civil Society.
So far, the fund has provided grants and capacity-development support to the below 12 CSOs:
Foundation for Women’s Solidarity (Kadın Dayanışma Vakfı)
Foundation for Women’s Solidarity, established in Ankara in 1993, aims to combat all kinds of violence against women in line with feminist principles and to strengthen and expand women’s solidarity in the face of violence. The Foundation, which has established Ankara’s first women’s counselling centre where women who have been subjected to violence can receive free support, conducts awareness-raising activities for women who apply to the women’s counselling centre, volunteers and professional staff working in this field.
We Need to Talk Association (Konuşmamız Gerek Derneği)
We Need to Talk Association aims to increase the accessibility, quality and sustainability of menstrual products in Turkey, to contribute to the dissemination of data collection and content creation on menstrual poverty and experiences, and to ensure the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality and menstruation education in the National Education Curriculum.
Families and Friends of LGBTI+s Association (Lezbiyen, Gey Biseksüel Trans Artı Bireylerin Aileleri ve Yakınları Derneği-LİSTAG)
Aiming to support families whose children or relatives are LGBTI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex), LİSTAG works to ensure that families accept and love their LGBTI+ children and/or relatives, and LGBTI+s live in dignity and are accepted in society.
Mimoza Women’s Association (Mimoza Kadın Derneği)
Mimoza Women’s Association, established in Mersin, is combating all kinds of violence arising from gender inequality, raising awareness about gender equality and violence against women. Mimoza Women’s Association works to empower women in social, economic, political and cultural fields, to make women’s rights visible and to benefit equally from all opportunities.
Yüksekova Women’s Social Support and Culture Association (Yüksekova Kadınları Toplumsal Destekleme ve Kültür Derneği-YUKADER)
YUKADER, established in Yüksekova, Hakkari, works to ensure equal and effective participation of women in all levels of social, economic, cultural, and political life. YUKADER implements activities to influence public opinion on gender equality and women’s rights, to receive first-hand information about women’s needs through household visits, and to raise awareness about gender equality
Social Policy Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (Sosyal Politika Cinsiyet Kimliği ve Cinsel Yönelim Çalışmaları-SPoD)
SPoD aims to contribute to the development of social policies that are necessary for a life in which LGBTI+s in Turkey will not feel oppressed regarding their gender identity and sexual orientation. Along with its advocacy activities, SPoD aims to establish service models for LGBTI+ communities, setting examples for public institutions, to help eradicate discrimination and offer LGBTI+ specific services with public-private cooperation.
We will stop Femicides Platform (Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu)
We Will Stop Femicide Platform works to eliminate violence against women and femicide in Turkey. The platform collects and shares monthly data on murders of women in Turkey, which has been increasing every year. In addition, they monitor court cases on femicide, violence against women and sexual abuse of women and organize public awareness campaigns on these cases.
Katre Women’s Counseling and Solidarity Association (Katre Kadın Danışma ve Dayanışma Derneği)
Katre Women’s Counseling and Solidarity Association, established in Erzincan, works to ensure an equal life and opportunities for women, children and LGBTI+ especially in terms of housing, health, law, sexual and social rights. The association conducts field studies, awareness-raising activities, provide support for the LGBTI+ community, women and children who have been exposed to violence.
Association of Women from Ravanda (Ravandalı Kadınlar Derneği)
The Association of Women from Ravanda was established by 32 women from 4 different villages of Kilis province. The association works to support the economic and social empowerment of women while paying special attention to the sustainability of its activities. The products produced by the women from Ravanda are sold in the online shop at the association’s website and on several other e-commerce platforms. The association also organises training programs on women’s rights, ecology, and technology.
Kazdağı Association for the Preservation of Natural and Cultural Resources (Kazdağı Doğal ve Kültürel Varlıkları Koruma Derneği)
Kazdağı Association for the Preservation of Natural and Cultural Resources was established by environmental activists all around Turkey with an aim to protect natural, historical and cultural resources in Kazdağı region and its surroundings. Promoting ecological agriculture and clean energy production, prevention of all damages and pollution in the natural environment due to industrialisation, mining and urbanisation activities are among the goals of the association.
Flying Broom Foundation, Ankara (Uçan Süpürge Vakfı)
Flying Broom Foundation has played a significant role in building solidarity in the women’s movement by bringing together women’s organisations from different cities in Regional Meetings. Flying Broom Foundation organises International Women’s Film Festival which screens films from women directors, invites women directors and actresses from all around the world every year and held Women Directors’ and Producers’ Meeting in Turkey.
The Sunflower Women Association (Günebakan Kadın Derneği)
The Sunflower Women Association (Günebakan Kadın Derneği), based in Mersin, aims to ensure equal rights, responsibilities, and participation in society for women by working on domestic violence, women’s health, education of children on gender, women participation in municipal mechanisms and gender equality in municipalities. The association also works on women’s human rights, women’s participation in the working life, and the areas for opportunities.