Village Headmen Against Domestic Violence

Municipality of Aliaga, Izmir, an Aegean coastal district with 37,000 population, introduces guidance services for village women. The service envisages close cooperation with village headmen who are expected to provide information on the situation of women in their villages who suffer from domestic violence and are barred from demanding their rights.

Employing 13 women volunteers certified on women’s issues, Aliaga Municipality Domestic and Women Problems Solidarity and Information Centre (ABKAM) conducts surveys in cooperation with village headmen in order to find out women who suffer from domestic violence in 19 villages of Aliaga. Women in Coraklar village where the first survey was conducted are reported to show great interest for the service.

Women profiles will be surveyed

Their aim is to increase women’s awareness of domestic violence and of their legal rights and to provide them economic, social and psychological support as well, says ABKAM coordinator Melek Tugral. "With the program the priorities and the profiles of the women living in Aliaga and vicinity will be surveyed. We will provide guidance whenever we encounter issues that we could be of help," she said.

"In a period when we are striving for EU membership, we will support any effort and project directed at women," says Tansu Kaya, the Mayor of Aliaga.

"By founding ABKAM, we put a finger on a social problem of Aliaga. By introducing this service we fulfilled one of the tasks of the social state. Our women will not remain unprotected anymore as long as our women’s shelter works. This will also provide a model for other municipalities."

Women Shelter and ABKAM

Municipality of Aliaga has recently started a women’s shelter. Alongside social and psychological guidance and legal advice services, some career adoption courses are provided in the shelter as well.

In ABKAM, women are provided training and advice with an eye to increase awareness of their woman identity; supporting their place in the family and in the urban life and arousing awareness of their concerns and legal rights. (EK/YE)