BACKGROUND

A crucial decision-making mechanism on the local level, “neighborhood councils”, aim to strengthen the bond between the neighborhoods and the local governments and to encourage citizen participation. However, it is observed that women’s participation in these councils remains limited in Adana, as it is across Turkey. It is essential to nurture suitable conditions for the active participation of women in the local democratic decision-making mechanisms and to raise awareness on their own rights. They need support in knowledge and skills on the public services offered by the city, to which they are entitled, and on the procedures to follow to access these services.

PROJECT GOALS

• 10 volunteering women from Yeşilyurt and Gürselpaşa neighborhoods of Seyhan district in Adana will participate in the 50-day trainings of 10 modules. Each of the training modules, varying from gender equality to right to education, women’s health, legal rights, employment, media literacy, and democratic decision-making mechanisms will include visits to the relevant organizations.
• Each participant will then transfer their newly acquired knowledge to other women in their neighborhoods.
• These women will then be encouraged to regularly participate in the neighborhood councils and to submit their opinions, suggestions and complaints about the public services.
• A workshop will be organized to discuss neighborhood issues and the suggested solutions to establish a communication network.
• A separate education video will be prepared for each module to later study the training content.

Testimonials