RET’s #16Days in Türkiye: 6 Cities, 23 Events
Photo by RET in Türkiye
Article by Ali Selim Kara, Communications Officer for RET in Türkiye
ANKARA, TÜRKIYE – The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that emphasizes the importance of combating violence against women and girls. From November 25th to December 10th, this initiative aligns closely with RET International’s mission to empower vulnerable populations. For RET, these 16 days represent an opportunity to raise awareness, foster resilience, and create tangible change through impactful activities.
This year, RET International organized activities in 6 cities across Türkiye, hosting 23 events and engaging a total of 505 participants. from diverse backgrounds. Each event was designed to educate, empower, and inspire action, making this year’s campaign a memorable success.
In Samsun
Orange Keychain Workshop: On November 25, participants created orange keychains as a symbol of solidarity against gender-based violence. This hands-on activity helped 19 attendees connect with the campaign’s message in a meaningful and personal way.
Photo by RET
November 25 and 27, Legal Rights Workshop: Two sessions provided information to 33 women participants on their legal rights under Law 6284, which addresses the protection of women against violence. Discussions included reporting mechanisms and available support services.
Photo by RET
December 5, Mothers and Daughters: A creative storytelling session where 16 mothers and daughters collaborated to write stories of “Strong Female Figures.” This workshop aimed to highlight the importance of empowerment within families.
Photo by RET
December 5, Paint for No Violence: Sixteen participants painted messages of hope and equality, using art as a medium to advocate for a world without violence.
To help us continue this critical work with vulnerable populations in Türkiye and around the world, make a donation to RET today.
In Kayseri
December 4, Raise Your Voice Against Violence: This workshop provided 18 participants with detailed information on protection mechanisms under Law 6284, emphasizing how to access support when faced with violence.
Photo by RET
November 29, Women Supporting Women: Sixteen participants brainstormed and created impactful slogans to promote solidarity among women, fostering a sense of collective empowerment.
Photo by RET
November 30 and December 1, Strong Women Sessions: Focused on building psychological resilience and self-esteem, these two sessions engaged 47 women. Activities included self-reflection exercises and techniques for stress management.
Photo by RET
December 7, Women’s Portrait Workshop: Thirty-one university students attended a seminar on gender equality and followed it up with a creative activity where they designed tote bags featuring portraits of inspiring women.
Aksaray
November 27¸Women’s Rights and Legal Processes: A session led by a lawyer provided woman participants with insights into their rights, legal procedures, and how to navigate the justice system effectively.
Photo by RET
November 28, Support Mechanisms: Thirty-two participants at the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services (ASHIM) in Aksaray were informed by RET’s experienced social worker about available resources for victims of violence and how to access them.
Photo by RET
November 28, Handprint for Unity: This symbolic activity involved 25 participants creating a visual representation of unity against violence by imprinting their handprints on a shared canvas.
Photo by RET
December 5, Privacy Education for Children: Seven children attended a tailored session on personal boundaries and the importance of privacy, helping them understand their rights in a safe and engaging way.
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Support Mechanism Presentations: Informative presentations reached an additional 87 women throughout the campaign, ensuring broader awareness of legal rights and available support services.
Mardin
Discussion on GBV (November 25): Twenty-two participants, including refugees and host community members, gathered to discuss gender-based violence, share personal insights, and learn strategies for fostering safer communities.
Photo by RET
Şanlıurfa
Art Against Violence (November 25): Sixteen participants attended a workshop to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. After an informative session highlighting the day’s significance, participants created drawings and posters, adding meaningful messages to their artwork to express their thoughts on combating gender-based violence.
Photo by RET
Çorum
The activities conducted in Çorum as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign were organized by LEAP, RET International’s implementing partner in Türkiye.
Zero Tolerance to Violence (November 25 and December 4): This activity provided information on how to recognize violence and the coping mechanisms for it. Eight participants used orange scarves as a symbol of the campaign, sparking discussions about the importance of standing against violence.
Photo by RET
Legal Rights Counseling (December 3): Providing legal rights counseling, this session engaged 8 Afghan women, equipping them with practical knowledge to understand and utilize protections against gender-based violence.
Photo by RET
December 6, Responding to GBV: Collaborating with the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM), this session reached 28 participants, providing practical tools to recognize and respond to gender-based violence.
Conclusion
Through these diverse and impactful activities, RET International reached more than 500 participants across Türkiye, raising awareness about gender-based violence and empowering individuals to become advocates for change aiming to foster resilience, promote equality, and create safer communities.
The 16 Days of Activism may have concluded, but the work continues. Together, we can build a future free from violence, where every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity and respect.
To help us continue this critical work with vulnerable populations in Türkiye and around the world, make a donation to RET today.
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