Social Gender Equality Gaining Ground

The "Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Joint Program for Women and Girls" (BMOP) came to an end now after a duration of four years. The project was carried out by Sabancı Foundation, the Ministry of the Interior and all institutions of the United Nations (UN). The outcomes of the program were announced in Ankara.

The program reached about 300,000 people in six provinces with its approach to make gender equality a local issue and aim at local solutions.

"One of the best rights centreline programs"

The program was run by Sabancı University in cooperation with embassies from ten different countries, the local governments of İzmir, Kars, Nevşehir, Şanlıurfa, Trabzon and Van (major cities all over Turkey), and non-governmental organizations. The basic aim was the elimination of gender based inequality.

The program was run under three main topics: "Local Action Plans for Equality and Local Participation Studies", the "Sabancı Foundation Grant Program" and Purple Certificate Education Program on Social Gender Equality".

The BMOP was chosen as one of the "Best Rights Centreline Projects" by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2009.

"Equality Roadmap"

The program provided a "road map for gender equality" with the Local Equality Action Plan prepared by local governments and NGOs. The action plan was approved by the provincial councils of Nevşehir, Trabzon, İzmir and Van. The plans aimed at realizing gender equality in these provinces and intended to establish an understanding within local governments for the approach of social gender equality. The action plans included local service models on increasing participation of women in local decision making, strategies to improve general living conditions and the implementation of those strategies.

Sabancı Foundation issued grants to 34 local projects

The Sabancı foundation covered $1.6 million of a total program budget of $ 2.8 million; the foundation issued grants to 34 local projects. In the scope of the Purple Certificate Program, Sabancı University gave social gender education to 1,313 high school teachers. The program was also financially supported by the embassies of Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Norway.

"New grant programs on the way"

Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees Chairwomen Güler Sabancı said that further grant programs are waiting in line for the realization of projects related to the action plans in the six participating provinces and for the continuation of the Purple Certificate Program. Minister of the Interior Beşir Atalay assured to do his best to make the "Local Equality Gender Plans" become more widespread. UNFPA Turkey Representative Peer Sieben stated: "The adoption of the Action Plans by the municipalities and governorships is the biggest achievement of the program. Another important achievement is the development of equality committees within municipalities and governorships". (BB/VK)