Featured image: “Mother and Daughter’s Museum Day” activity in Mardin (Photo by RET)

Article by Ali Selim Kara, Communications Officer for RET International

Each year from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through December 10 (Human Rights Day), the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign (or #16Days) calls for the prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls.

During this year’s #16Days campaign, RET in Türkiye, along with local partner LEAP, organized multiple activities throughout the country aimed at ending gender-based violence (GBV), promoting women’s rights, and reiterating that there’s #NoExcuse for any form of violence and that violence against women is a human rights violation.

Here’s a look at what happened:

Nov 25: Mother and Daughter’s Museum Day (Mardin)

“Building Bridges: Mother-Daughter Museum Day” brought together women and teenage girls, as well as featured a guided tour of the Sabancı City Museum in Mardin, offering not just education but the chance for many participants to visit a museum for the first time.

A follow-up session provided a space for ideas and emotions inspired by the museum visit. Mothers and daughters shared heartfelt notes, creating lasting memories. The event ended with a group reflection, highlighting increased awareness of violence against women, enriched cultural knowledge, and a stronger sense of unity among participants.

Nov 27: “We are Stronger Together” (Kayseri)

As part of the activities jointly organized by RET Kayseri teams in honor of the November 25 Day for Anti-Violence Against Women, we provided essential trainings on Gender Equality and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

Together, participants engaged in discussions about the often unseen violence that occurs behind closed doors. The event aimed to raise awareness, with participants emphasizing their collective strength by declaring, “We raise hands against violence because we are stronger together.” This initiative not only addressed critical issues but also fostered a sense of unity in the fight against gender-based violence.

Above: Raising awareness about often unseen violence at an activity in Kayseri (Photo by RET)

Nov 27: Handmade Production Fair Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment (Çorum)

RET and LEAP opened a booth at a fair, focusing on encouraging women engaged in handmade product creation in Çorum. The primary goal was to bolster women’s economic independence and enhance their societal standing. Local and refugee women showcased and sold their handmade products, fostering cultural integration and collaboration. Following this, participants engaged in a Wood Print Workshop, improving their craft and wood printing abilities while sparking creativity.

Nov 28: Training on Gender-Based Violence and Psychological Well-Being (Kayseri)

Our Kayseri office hosted essential training sessions on Psychological Violence and Coping Strategies, along with Gender Equality and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The event featured informative presentations by RET’s Psychologist and Social Worker in Kayseri. The participants included women from diverse backgrounds, including Syrians, Afghans, and the local community, coming together to learn and discuss important issues related to gender-based violence. The event aimed to empower and raise awareness among the attendees about psychological well-being, gender equality, and combating various forms of violence.

Above: Participants from one of our gender-based violence and reproductive sexual health sessions in Kayseri (Photo by RET)

Nov 28: Raising Awareness on Violence Against Women (Samsun)

An awareness-raising session on “Violence Against Women” was organized for participants attending Turkish courses provided by RET in partnership with LEAP in Samsun.  The session aimed to inform and raise awareness among the participants about the issues surrounding violence against women.

To help us continue this critical work in Türkiye, consider making a recurring donation to RET today.