Rural Women Leaders Transforming Their Environment: The Flax Cycle

BACKGROUND

Women and children are among the groups most affected by the climate crisis worldwide. Women’s participation in climate-related decision-making processes is crucial for generating solutions and developing policies. In the Tire region of İzmir, located in the Küçük Menderes Basin—an area expected to be significantly impacted by the climate crisis—flax production both mitigates the effects of the crisis due to its low water requirement and ease of processing, and supports women's employment. This production process should also evolve into a women’s empowerment model by increasing women’s participation in local decision-making mechanisms (village, municipality, district governorship).

PROJECT GOALS

• Three thematic trainings will be provided to 20 women in Kahrat Village: Rights Education Module, Communication with Local Government Module, and Canvas Business Idea Training Module.
• Up to three production and/or business ideas based on flax as a raw material will be implemented by the women.
• Demands from the women to be conveyed to local governments will be collected and communicated to relevant local authorities through visits organized by the project team.
• An infrastructure and feasibility study will be completed to activate the straw processing section of the "Things from Flax" Workshop, aiming to provide employment and income for women.
• A project closing meeting will be held.

PROJECT RESULTS

• A total of 33 women participated in the training series, which included a Rights Education Module, a Communication with Local Government Module, and a Canvas Business Idea Module, aimed at empowering women in the economic, social, and public spheres.
• The women completed the implementation phase of the local government participation training with a visit to the Tire Municipality. During this visit, they identified the needs of their villages based on the information they gained during the training, compiled their demands into petitions, and presented these petitions directly to the Deputy Mayor of Tire.
• Occupational safety and feasibility reports were prepared for the "Linen Processing Workshop" planned to be established in Tire, marking a concrete step forward.
• The women developed three different linen-focused workspaces: flaxseed-filled eye bags, linen yarn jewelry, and a geographical indication application for Kahrat bread.