What is next? 

The UN Joint Programme is a two-year effort to address persistent gender inequalities by improving the national policy environment, building local government and NGO  capacity, designing services models for women and girls and raising awareness about women and girls' rights.

The programme is active in six cities (İzmir, Kars, Nevşehir, Şanlıurfa, Trabzon and

Van) and is making significant progress through active support and cooperation from local activists, officials, foreign embassy and private sector donors.

The six-month review meeting of the programme will be held in Ankara on June 21, 2006, with the participation of all parties involved.

At the upcoming quarterly meeting, the Hacı Ömer Sabancı Fundation (VAKSA) will announce its partnership in the programme. 

The meeting will be inaugurated by Interrior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu.

Asst. Prof. Aykan Demir of Middle East Technical University will evaluate the results of public opinion polls conducted in programme cities to assess the current situation of women and girls.

In the second session of the meeting, programme partners will present an overview of the programme and outline additional action that should be taken to address persistent gender inequality.

An important next step: Increase local government and NGO capacity

UNJP led workshops to increase NGO capacity were completed in early June. Second round of capacity building efforts will continue in September, with a programme designed for local government officials. 

 Objectives of the training programme are:

-  Explore the current situation of women and children in the programme cities.

-  Help local authorities expand their experience in gender issues.

-  Encourage local governments through project development and resource mobilization to engage greater numbers of women in the local decision making process.

During these workshops, participants will gain a better understanding of gender sensitive policies, key problems the female population faces with respect to public services, how local policies influence the daily lives of women, and how best to address the needs of women.

Project Cycle Management Training

As an additional next step forward, a Project Cycle Management Training programme will be implemented in August-September for both Local Governments and NGO's. Participants will have an opportunity to prepare actionable project proposals for review by potential sponsors.

The following step for the end of this year will be drafting Local Action Plans in cooperation with NGOs and local governments with the participation of private sector companies.