UNFPA: Supporting Gender Equality in Turkey

What is UNFPA doing to help?

UNFPA has a long history of cooperation with the government of Turkey . It began its cooperation in 1971, initially on a project-by-project basis. Since then it has supported a wide range of activities and programmes in which the gender perspective has been a key element.

In its current five-year programme for Turkey , UNFPA is focusing its activities in three key areas: reproductive health , population and development and a specific component on gender .

In the specific gender area of the programme, UNFPA aims to

.  Improve reporting and enforcement systems for women's and children's rights, including the establishment of gender equality and complaint bodies and independent ombudsmen

.  Advocate and support the development of action plans and policies for youth, women and gender-based violence in line with international instruments

.  Increase awareness on gender issues and in particular on violence among policy and decision makers, the media and the public

.  Provide resources and know-how to government institutions, NGO and the private sector to give gender concerns a prominent position in their policies, programmes or services and to encourage their staff to be sensitive to gender issues.

UNFPA has partnered with the General Directorate for Women Status on a multifaceted Stop Violence Against Women campaign . As a result, for three days in December 2004 all super league teams in Turkey wore T-shirts with the campaign logo. The players appeared on the pitch and thus to a large nationwide television audience holding "Stop Violence Against Women" banners. An infomercial was aired on 14 national TV stations and in cinemas around the country to raise awareness about violence against women. To classical concerts have been performed by the State Polyphonic Chorus, showing the link between Turkish Folk Music and violence.

UNFPA has partnered with the national newspaper Hurriyet, to bring information about the best practices in the world to combat violence against women to Turkey . The partnership with Hurriyet is planned to develop into a broader corporate alliance to end domestic violence.

UNFPA also carried out a successful project with the Turkish Armed Forces and the Ministry of Health. Every year, approximately 500,000 soldiers are trained on family planning, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. The training also focused on gender issues, specifically how to combat violence against women.

UNFPA has together with UNDP published a comprehensive report on "The dynamics of Honor Killings in Turkey ". The report was presented before the special parliamentary inquiry committee on honor killings and UNFPA has subsequently been asked to support the follow-up of this committee's work.

UNFPA is the managing agent of the UN Joint Programme on promoting and protecting women's and girls human rights.

In late 2006 UNFPA will start implementing a EU funded programme related to gender equality and violence against women.

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