Sivil Düşün is a European Union programme.
You can access the video links in this book by scanning the QR code above with your smart phone.
Sivil Düşün is a European Union programme.
01 sivil dĂźĹ&#x;Ăźn by the numbers
contents
02 supported activities
1 102
03 events
6
04
109
networks and platforms
Sivil Düşün EU Programme: The European Union Technical Assistance Programme That Responds Directly and Swiftly to the Needs of Civil Society... Sivil Düşün EU Programme is an innovative, flexible and participatory European Union technical assistance programme, designed by the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey to respond to the needs of activists, civil society organisations, civil initiatives, networks and platforms, as well as to create an enabling environment for active citizenship and to strengthen the capacities of organised active individuals.
How did Sivil Düşün Come to Life? Sivil Düşün EU Programme was developed following a series of consultation meetings held by the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey with 730 civil society representatives across eleven provinces between 2010 and 2011. The programme was designed to respond to the shared concerns and needs of civil society organisations identified over the course of the consultation process.
introduction
What were the Shared Concerns of Civil Society Representatives? Insufficiencies in capacity building Inefficiency of support mechanisms due to burdensome bureaucratic procedures, the need for flexible and simplified grant schemes Lack of opportunities to fund individuals and civil initiatives without a legal entity under existing grant programmes Challenges in partnering with other activists, civil society organisations and initiatives to engage in joint activities Need for technical assistance for civil society organisations, networks and platforms Problems concerning mobility and language in accessing civil society assistance mechanisms, and in creating networks. Based on these findings, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey developed the Sivil Düşün EU Programme and launched it in 2013 to assist the civil society in line with its needs.
Inclusive
Sivil Düşün Listens, Responds and Supports... Supports rights-based activities Supports not only organised civil society structures but also civil initiatives and activists who do not have a legal entity Abides by the principles of fair competition, equal opportunity and transparency Appreciates the development and improvement of participatory democracy structures and value Supports the principles of human rights, social inclusion and the rule of law Listens to the civil society and responds directly to its needs Supports the promotion of rights-based activities to reach a wider audience Works with the civil society and values a participatory approach Contributes to the development of advocacy Offers civil society actors an effective platform for cooperation, networking, common activities, learning and knowledge sharing Reminds all active individuals that they can take initiatives to protect or ensure rights Inspires human rights advocates through the work it supports Supports mainstreaming of rights-based activities Introduces a new approach in supporting civil society organisations and eliminates burdensome bureaucratic procedures Ensures visibility of disadvantaged groups and responds to their needs Contributes to the strengthening of plurality Contributes to building capacity of grassroots organisations Values continuous and competent technical assistance for mainstreaming of rights-based activities Supports the dissemination of new developments and news in civil society through communication networks Distinguishes from other civil society support programmes with its wide beneficiary profile
Sivil Düşün supports rights-based activities organised by activists, civil society organisations, civil initiatives, networks, platforms, unions, city councils, and other non-profits without any regional, provincial or thematic restrictions or any requirement to establish a legal entity.
Participatory Sivil Düşün is a technical assistance program that goes beyond a grant scheme. The programme prioritises organising advisory meetings and knowledge-sharing events in line with the needs of activists and civil society organisations, strengthening processes whereby civil society actors learn from each other, as well as giving a voice to civil society through communication tools and campaigns.
Flexible Sivil Düşün’s Activist Programme was designed to enable a flexible and participatory approach in responding to the needs of activists and civil society organisations. The programme lends itself to following the current needs of the field and quickly revising the supports provided.
Transparent Applications to Sivil Düşün Activist Program are subject to a two-stage eligibility check by both the Sivil Düşün Technical Assistance Team and independent experts. All applicants have the opportunity to follow their application and the implementation process via a special online system.
01 sivil düşün by the numbers 1
84 TOTAL
ACTIVIST
PROFILE
Federations
0,7% Trade Unions 2,4% Foundations 0,5% 23%
Confederations 0,2%
TOTAL
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES
BREAKDOWN OF APPLICATIONS
APPLICANT
CSO
24,7%
Initiative
Association
1,6%
Platforms
45,4%
1,4%
APPLICATIONS BY THE REGIONS 401
118
EUROPE 73
68
76
292
141
172
APPLICATIONS BY THE TARGET AUDIENCE
CSO
227
311
1358 744
614 ACTIVIST
ers
0,9%
als
1,3%
Press
1,5%
emy Acad
1,6%
Prison
An i m
p Local
eople
ged va nt a Disad Groups R efu
Disab
gees
2,1%
10
5%
ople
7%
I LGBT
9%
led Pe
1
3,4%
M
ies inor it
Child
ren
en Wom
Unsp
ecific
9,1% 9,6%
5
68
4
2
45
22
17
87 83
41
6 1
BREAKDOWN BY THEMATIC FIELDS
33 54
3
36
79 28
83
4
44
12
101
20
14
31 5
19
93
13
12 Youth
3
15
154
29
42 10
18 1
91
167
4 29
38
10,2%
10,7%
25,5% APPLICATIONS
SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES
WEBSITE 247.372
April 2014 November 2016
521.567
Unique Visitors
00:02:26
Page Views
1468
News Directly for the Promotion of EUD Grants/Programmes
471
Direct
Followers
384
News Directly for the Promotion of Sivil Düşün
Rights-Based Events
%29,3
2336 Tweets
Social
%31,1
News Directly for the Promotion of Sivil Düşün Supported Activities’ Outputs
96
Impressions
Posts
16.255 Likes
2.508.982 Reach
%55
%42
Women
Men
%63
Between 18-34 Ages
4627
2255
1344
506
471
İstanbul
Ankara
İzmir
Antalya
Bursa
335
327
284
275
253
Diyarbakır
Mersin
Konya
Gaziantep
Eskişehir
Job Opportunities of Rights-Based CSOs
Search
%27,5
Referrals
%7,74
October 2013 November 2016
1.5 million
824
CITY DISTRIBUTION
Data below is based on SimilarWeb, Google Analytics and Wordpress statistics.
TWITTER 6971
Average Bounce Rate
68
393
That Promotes Rights- Based Activities of Civil Society in General
TRAFFİC SOURCE
%24
Average Time for Sessions Per User
56
News Made
December 2014 November 2016
%52 Women
%48 Men
YOUTUBE
January 2015 November 2016
53
31.108 dk
Videos Uploaded
14.895
Views of the Videos
Minutes Watch Time
2:10
Average View Duration
%24 Women
%74 Men
Sivil Düşün to Make a Change
02 supported activities
We support rights-based activities with a simplified, participatory, inclusive, flexible and transparent approach… Sivil Düşün supports the rights-based works of activists, civil society organisations, civil collaborations, networks, platforms, unions, city councils and other CSOs since April 2013 with a facilitated, participatory, comprehensive, flexible and transparent approach. In four years since the first Activist Program invitation on April 16, 2013, 1358 applications from 81 cities were made and 311 works were supported. 84 of the supported activities are activists and 227 are civil society organisations. Civil society organisations include 5 unions, 5 city councils, and 2 cooperatives. The remaining 215 CSOs include corporate structures such as associations and foundations as well as initiatives without a legal entity. With supports of Sivil Düşün for women’s rights, children’s rights, video activism, refugee rights etc., activists and CSOs made their works visible, created awareness, improved their capacities, established new cooperations. Let’s see some of the supported activities.
6
The Artıkişler Video Collective makes video, photograph, exhibition and book activities which document, discuss and make visible many disregarded areas of recycling from the living conditions of recycling staff who are the invisible face of the sector to the relationship of the city with its own waste. With “İstanbul’s Waste”, it creates visual and written record of recycling and the recycling staff in central and peripheral districts of İstanbul, Beyoğlu and Ümraniye and reviews the socio-economic structure of İstanbul over the waste of the city. It is intended to present the visual and written records on the recycling sector where environment and employment rights are intertwined and are excluded from recording with video and photograph exhibitions, documentary production and books.
istanbul’s waste
Video
İstanbul’s Waste - Dolapdere İstanbul’s Waste - Suriye Pasajı İstanbul’s Waste - Çukurcuma You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
ARTIKİŞLER VIDEO COLLECTIVE
Interview with Alper Şen from Artıkişler Collective, on his activities, projects, activism and Sivil Düşün EU Programme…
Interview with Alper Şen from Artıkişler Collective, on his activities, projects, activism and Sivil Düşün EU Programme… The Artıkişler Collective was established in 2007 to gather studies of persons and collectives that produce independent works through video and other visual media on a common platform and to exhibit, demonstrate and publish these works in different media. The project “İstanbul’s Waste”, realised with the support of Sivil Düşün EU Programme, focuses on the work and living conditions of waste collectors, and factors that create these conditions including migration, unemployment and exclusion, in Beyoğlu, considered to be the art and culture centre of İstanbul and Ümraniye, a district which “encircles” this central perception, of the collectors who are excluded from the social area and are rendered invisible.
How does the Artıkişler Collective operate? How does the system function?
The Artıkişler Collective was established in 2007 to gather studies of persons and collectives that produce independent works through video and other visual media on a common platform and to exhibit, demonstrate and publish these works in different media. The project “İstanbul’s Waste”, realised with the support of Sivil Düşün EU Programme, focuses on the work and living conditions of waste collectors, and factors that create these conditions including migration, unemployment and exclusion, in Beyoğlu, considered to be the art and culture centre of İstanbul and Ümraniye, a district which “encircles” this central perception, of the collectors who are excluded from the social area and are rendered invisible.
We can describe the Artıkişler Collective as a video production network comprised of people willing to create independent video works through solidarity, sharing or technical support. It is hard to say we have a certain system, the political and aesthetic content of the work is rather important for us. Considering the fact that every work has its way of operation and order, we try to approach every working method differently. We believe the process which we describe as the independent production process goes through customisation of the production conditions.
What are other activities planned by the Artıkişler Collective? We hope we will continue with similar activities. We intend to try to understand the political and cultural codes of the image of spreading and plenitude and create works together not by growing but by expanding.
Can you describe İstanbul’s Waste? What kind of a route do you follow? When we think of İstanbul as a compressed form of Turkey, we can see the waste of this city as the objects/situations/ideas/persons that the country has left behind. İstanbul’s Waste emerged as a video + photograph + book project with which we questioned ourselves in the first place while questioning the physical/conceptual situations and states that we leave behind on this land, beyond an environmental issue from a strict perspective. The route we follow takes a start from Beyoğlu district which we can consider as the centre of this city, and goes to Ümraniye, one of the peripheral districts of Istanbul. With this work, we try to describe the relationships that the city centre can/ cannot establish with the periphery through our own eyes as the people who live, create and consume in this city. Our route follows a natural and simple flow: We get out of our houses and look for the traces of the explosion of the waste mountain in Ümraniye on April 28, 1993.
How do you define scrap/waste? Do you define it based on gentrification? Scrap or waste, in the most general sense, is the thing we leave behind and we think has lost its visible functionality. Waste is a product of a consumption society. If we consider waste only as the trash in our hood, we may not hear what the word tells us. Therefore, we make this work with the belief that we can understand the concept of waste by comparing the relative conditions of the value of the waste on the street and the value of a house which is about the be demolished. In every sense, the conditions when the waste is made valuable or worthless also let us understand the political, economic and cultural foundations of the country. The reason for our tendency for gentrification is our effort to question the reasons for people, when the “waste buildings/streets” are put back to use, who have to live in bad conditions in those buildings, being made even more worthless than those buildings. For this reason, we try to understand who determines the value of the thing called “qualified waste”, why and on what conditions.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün EU Programme? Sivil Düşün EU Programme fills an important gap with their fast and practical support in the processes of discussion and solution of social problems or creating awareness. They provide serious contributions to activism by supporting many activities which are not presented in projects, and by empowering individuals and structures which do not have an official legal identity in the field.
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream? I can’t say we have a civil dream. Each of us has many dreams. We think as we share these dreams, we start to realise them.
What comes to your mind when you think of activism? We can think activist as a person actualising his own self and the surroundings, asking and interrogating, realising there is something to do to change something, acting and coming together with others for a purpose.
What do you think about the current status and future of rights-based activities and activism? In a country where rights are violated frequently and these violations are experienced by every segment of the society, rights-based activities are important to allow people and groups to realise what kind of rights they have. Activism is acquiring a more common role every day in creating awareness about the rights of individuals or groups. I believe sharing information about violations of rights and persons and groups being informed about their own rights is the first step in preventing the violation of rights.
freedom of artistic expression
With this work, a manual was prepared, which included recommendations to prevent violation of freedom of expression of artists and the routes to follow in case of violation. The manual is freely accessible by all individuals and organisations.
SÄ°YAH BANT
Video
Siyah Bant You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Pelin Başaran talks about the Freedom of Artistic Expression Manual
Recently, you published the Freedom of Artistic Expression Manual with the support of Sivil Düşün, the Consulate General of Sweden and İstanbul Bilgi University. What does the manual aim at? How can we access it?
What do you think about the current status and future of activism for freedom of expression in Turkey?
The purpose of the manual is to provide practical examples about
it to the Academics for Peace. We, as Siyah Bant, focus on a rather
how artists and artistic organisations can seek their rights in case
neglected branch (without underestimating the organisational
of violations of the freedom of artistic expression. By doing this,
efforts of Şanar Yurdatapan), namely freedom of artistic expression
we intend to support protecting and developing the freedom of
for various reasons. However, this topic cannot be considered
artistic expression of artists and artistic organisations in Turkey. A
separately from other struggles for rights. Therefore, we try to
certain number of manuals were printed and some of them were
struggle shoulder to shoulder with journalists and human rights
distributed. The list of the places where you can buy a copy is on the
organisations.
website. You can also download the digital copy of the manual on the web page of Siyah Bant.
What are the reactions to the manual? This manual was prepared directly upon the request of artists. Artists needed a manual about what to do when faced with censorship. Therefore, the manual received positive reactions. Now, we are delivering the manual to arts departments in universities. We also receive supporting messages from students.
Yaman Akdeniz and Kerem Altıparmak received an award for freedom of expression from Columbia University, and attributed
The Manual reads “One of the purposes of establishment of Siyah Bant is to create a solidarity network among artists, arts organisations, lawyers and human rights defenders for struggle against censorship and to build similar tactics and strategies to those in other fields of human rights”. How does Siyah Bant plan to create this solidarity network? How efficient was this work in building that network of solidarity? Before the manual, we had published a work on the legislation, authored by Karan. We worked together with lawyers in preparation
Do you plan other activities for sustainability and mainstreaming of the work? In the preparation period of the manual, we, along with Dr. Ulaş Karan, a member of the faculty in Bilgi University School of Law, provided training on the right of artistic expression to art and law faculty students in three cities. The training sessions, based on the contents of the manual, were highly productive. We intend to mainstream and continue with them. We also plan to initiate an advocacy program for more frequent use of the ways for seeking rights in the manual.
of these works. We watched livestream the meeting in Geneva, in which human rights violations in Turkey were discussed, together with human rights organisations, journalists and artists in the event we organised after we prepared the report for the United Nations. It is not easy to build this network because the field of art has been considered a rather free space or censorship has been associated with “bigotry” rather than being considered as a violation of the freedom of expression until now. However, when we make a comparison, we can see artists and journalists are judged on the same legal grounds and are threatened by similar reasons. We would like to underline these partnerships and share our struggle.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün?
How do you define activism?
Without doubt, there are different censorship mechanisms. We try
I think as it has a different structure than conventional EU grants, it can
to put them through discussion with our research, e.g. curatorial
be successful in reaching different segments and play an important
Trying to make the world a more liveable place.
practices and censorship.
role in supporting struggles for freedom, especially at the local level.
“The consumption culture causes people to buy more than they need and work on conditions they would not accept otherwise, because of the unnecessary debt they have. Products which meet artificial needs like better telephones, bigger cameras, faster cars, more silent vacuum cleaners, larger houses, safer sites are continuously marketed and people are encouraged to buy them. The dreams they are offered that they will have more friends if they buy a new phone, they will be better looking if they buy a new watch, they will be of an upper class if they buy a new house�. The Consolidating Slow Life Association organised an awareness work against this perspective. The campaign made of video teasers and visual works was organised online. The awareness campaign aims at making people notice the pressure of consumption and act consciously.
awa re ness against con sumption cul tu re campaign
ASSOCIATION OF CONSOLIDATING SLOW LIFE
Reconciliation through sports training is offered to children with this work. Games are played to overcome the discriminatory language against the Armenian identity and raise peace oriented children in the cities on the border between Armenia-Turkey. By giving priority to the values inherent to sports including tolerance, comprehensiveness, equal rights, merit, joy, happiness, love and respect with the games, Bomovu tries to contribute to development of a peace environment based on social inclusion in the relationship of children with the environment.
play for peace BOMOVU
Can you describe your “Play for Peace” work briefly? Play for Peace is a game program focused on body movements, developed to work with children by the BoMoVu team. With this program, we created basing on the approach of peace through sports,
Network of Sport and Body Movement for Vulnerable Groups- BOMOVU, children on the northeast border of Turkey play for peace with the support of Sivil Düşün.
we shared the power of dialogue brought by body movements with children living in Kars and Ardahan, border cities of Turkey, through traditional children’s games. The priority purpose of this training program is to improve the perception of children of cross border, benefiting from free space embodied by the games. While doing this, we used traditional children’s games which constitute an important part of our cultural heritage. By giving priority to the values inherent in sports, including tolerance, comprehensiveness, equal rights, merit, joy, happiness, love and respect with the games, we tried to contribute to development of a peace environment based on social inclusion in the relationship of children with the environment.
The Association has been conducting various activities on conversion of the modes of thinking and feeling through sports and body movements for about a year. Bomovu volunteers describe themselves as “an association established to ensure athletes, dancers and performing artists converting their specialties into social benefit”. With the work realised with the support of #SivilDüşün, it is intended to ensure the children living in cities such as Kars and Ardahan direct their ideas about the children on the other side of the border to the peace theme through body movements. Bomovu shared the details of the event “Play for Peace” on September 1, World Peace Day to introduce us to their original works.
What is the current state of the work, what kind of activities will you organise in the upcoming period?
How does physical movement contribute to adoption of the culture of peace and overcoming discrimination? Variety of ideas is one of the most beautiful traits of humanity. Everybody has the right to justify and sustain their own existence in their own personal story. However, when expression of ideas
We published the handbook titled Play for Peace on the South
starts to deny the right of existence of others through dangerous
Caucasian Borders and now, we will present it to use of civil society
discourse, it even makes it impossible to defend its own accuracy.
organisations (CSO) operating for children in border areas. Moreover,
People were hurt and violence escalated in the past. But it is not over.
we intend to implement the Play for Peace program on the Edirne
When we think of the future with hope, considering the possibility
border, in the west of the country. Again, we sought for support of
of flexing or diminishing of limits on conceptual and experiential
Sivil Düşün. We will be following the cultural traces of the old Jewish
terms, we think the perception of “other” in human beings should
settlements left on children’s games through local gypsy and Turkish
be ready to adapt to this and exhibit itself through more positive
people. We will be leaving happiness in the physical memory by
ways. Therefore, while using a game based tool like Play for Peace,
sharing playful and fun moments, which will trigger optimism of
it contributes to having enjoyable and fun moments, other than
emotional observations of each other by the children on two sides
fierce and hateful discussions, in experiencing the senses caused
of the border in the Thrace region.
by the idea of “other” which lives beyond the bodily limits. We call it physical memory. There are many triggering factors beyond our
Moreover, we are seeking for opportunities to translate our
control in relationships between people. When we only consider
handbook to present it to use by other countries which share
them on logical and intellectual grounds, we ignore an important
borders in the Southern Caucasia and communicate with partner
part of our humanity, our body. Thus, we looked for ways to work
organisations.
with the body.
Can you give examples to discussions of children about discrimination and dialogue in your events? We focus on revealing optimism and purity in the discourse of children. Considering the factors which affect healthy thinking of a human being, it is very important that the person feels safe, does not act upon their fears, shares, looks at the society through achievement in a team spirit especially provided by team games and exists in a “win-win” environment arising from including and empowering those who are physically slower and weaker. At this level, we evaluated our experiences with children in the solution phase, considering how the play went through, by giving opinions about a fun moment provided by the game. Some of the examples we also used in our handbook are:
Let’s go back to the peace theme, are there other examples engaged in awareness works through sports, arts, culture, etc.?
I get upset when I win, because if
Sports and reconciliation is an area which is discussed and
I win, there are others who lose, I
encouraged by the United Nations. But before that, there are
don’t want them to be upset.
conventional reconciliation practices based on body movements.
If a Jewish child comes here, of course we will play altogether! Aren’t we all human? No! First, I make him a Muslim, then
It means people who are in conflict come together to dance and to physically have fun. People can sit at a table and talk, but some feelings cannot be expressed by words. We can see it in the importance paid to sports events by Nelson Mandela, who planned the anti-discriminatory restructuring of the country, after the
What are your future plans for strengthening various rights fields through body movements?
we play!
Apartheid regime of South Africa, based on reconciliation values of
We have only become an association recently. Other than Play
the country and the right to live. We are talking about a tool which
for Peace, we develop a volunteer athletes network. With this
Are you going to change the skin
is used by visionaries, beyond an accusing and punishing approach.
network, we offer social empowering programs through sport and
colour of an African to play with
Among the examples which are engaged in reconciliation activities
body movement to organisations with a target audience. We do
him?
based on body movements, there is the initiative called WallyBall
not have enough budget yet. But we are willing to extend this
First, we plan to study the old games in other regions as in the example
which organises volleyball matches every year, using the border
network as much as possible. We try to be a mediator for people
of Kars and Ardahan, and expand our network to the extent possible.
wall as the net. There are organisations like Anne Frank House,
who feel strong with sport to find their ways of defending their
which diversify the training tools and organises similar activities.
rights. Access to sport is political. We think everybody has the right
Adapting it to new regions is more important for us than it being
But, at the heart of it, there are people who have been doing this
to do sports as they have a body. As the sport has a wide definition,
sustainable. The purpose is to provide sufficient flexibility considering
It means being different.
traditionally for centuries. There are works by Benin which intend
we prefer to call it body movement. Yet, we know movement
specific sensitivities of every region, rather than developing a single-
to lay the foundation of the dialogue between the enslaving
restriction of some people is not completely coincidental. For
type solution.
Once, I couldn’t talk with other
people, the enslaved people and the mediator people, which are
example, the movements of the disabled should not be this
children in Georgia, then we
fed by traditional merit and philosophy and thus, are not organically
much limited. As the mobility develops and the person acquires
If the programme becomes feasible at a location, sustainability can be
understood each other’s body
imposed but are naturally adopted. It is also an approach to base on
autonomy, they have the right of bodily integrity which lies at the
provided with more efficient targets such as teachers, in addition to
language and played together.
the wisdom in the earth while creating innovative ideas.
foundation of other rights.
CSOs implementing the program.
We will paint them in white! What does culture mean?
How do you plan to ensure sustainability of your “Play for Peace” work?
The Seed Exchange Network includes exchange of local seeds specific to Anatolia to preserve biodiversity. With this work, the exchange system of the network is being digitalised. Thus, small producers can plant independently, consumers can reach organic products and biodiversity continues. Moreover, this platform will be a tool to make individuals, small farmers or consumers acquire their economic and food independency. As long as the farmers can continue with their local seeds / acquire them with exchange, they maintain their food freedom on economical basis with zero cost.
Seed exchange network
BUGDAY ASSOCIATION FOR ECOLOGICAL LIVING
Video
Seed Exchange Network You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Web
http://tohumtakas.org/
The unorganised state of the retirees who constitute a significant social layer and are still prevented from union organisation is a result of lack of information. The union is an important tool for overcoming their problems in life. Regional meetings and seminars were organised to tell that unionization is a right described in international conventions signed by the government of the Republic of Turkey and to create awareness about economic, social and union rights in this respect.
regional meetings and seminars to raise awareness about economic, social and union rights of the retiree DÄ°SK EMEKLÄ°-SEN
What do you plan to make after awareness trainings? Our next target is to ensure the retirees who are a member to our union, with increased health problems because of their age, are informed about protection from geriatric diseases and healthy aging.
DISK Emekli-Sen General President Veli Beysülen answered our questions about awareness trainings, Sivil Düşün and activism.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün EU Programme? It is very important that Sivil Düşün EU Programme contributes through activity supports to survival of such organisations in countries like Turkey where rights-based civil society organisations are prevented.
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream? Our dream is to realise a complete democracy where all social segments and differences express themselves and are organised within the body of rights-based organisations.
What comes to your mind when you think of activism? We see activism as an effort to reject a monotone stereotype life and have a word in decisions on life.
What do you think about the current status and future of rights-based activities and activism?
The Union of All Retirees (DISK Emekli-Sen), with the support of Sivil Düşün EU Programme, organised awareness raising trainings, which included retirement problems about management of branches and agencies, general problems of the union movement, transformation in health and social security.
In Turkey, rights-based activities have just started and not reached the desired level yet; on the other hand, some organisations feel an urge to do what the ruling party does according to their own political opinion, depend their existence on the government and are protected by the government too, which makes it impossible to use this right.
The Agenda: Child! Association planned a children’s newspaper prepared with their own contribution to feel them like an individual like adults. With this online newspaper, it was intended to give children a place in media, tell about the developments in the country and in the world with a content suitable for children and raise awareness of adults and educators about children’s rights.
eighteen minus children’s unofficial newspaper
GÜNDEM ÇOCUK
Video
Eighteen Minus Through the Eyes of Children You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Can you describe your association briefly? The Agenda: Child! Association has been operating in children’s rights since 2005. We are children’s rights activists committed to defend
The Agenda: Child! Association answered our questions about the Children’s Newspaper, activities of the association and activism in Turkey.
a holistic transformation to the benefit of children for them to live in peace as equal, free and respected individuals; mostly operate as child development experts, social services experts, sociologists, psychologists, lawyers, educators, architects, academicians, publishers. We are specialists from various professional groups who have been directly or indirectly working with children for long years. The United Nations Children’s Rights Convention is a natural part of our charter and the basis of our activities.
What is the current status of the Children’s Newspaper? What is your next target? The process, which started in April 2015, has now focused on creating children reporter teams, strengthening and mainstreaming them. In
The Agenda: Child! Association is planning to issue an online newspaper to let the voice of children be heard in media with the support of Sivil Düşün EU Programme. The idea of the Children’s Newspaper dates back to Minus Eighteen (18-). media work realised by the association with children in 2005. The online newspaper is also called Minus Eighteen. Minus Eighteen will follow the developments in the country and the world and will be prepared by children. The newspaper aims at raising awareness about the rights and freedoms of children, informing adults, parents and educators about the rights of children. The main purpose of the Children’s Newspaper is to ensure participation of children in public sphere by letting their voice be heard.
parallel, works are ongoing to establish the technical infrastructure. We plan to make a test publication towards the start of the academic year and make an attempt to promote the newspaper.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün EU Programme?
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream? A world where children are accepted as individuals with rights and freedoms, where it is understood that children have the power to change the world by their own organisation. And a life where every child can develop themselves and leave in peace and freedom…
Despite the small size of the budget, the program offers significant support
What comes to your mind when you think of activism? To change. To act to make a change.
What do you think about the current status and future of rights-based activities and activism? Rights-based activities are undoubtedly increasing in Turkey. This is an important point. But there is still a long road ahead. It is necessary to acknowledge that the human rights issue is a political and conscientious issue, and actions should be taken in solidarity. We all learn. It is clear that as we learn, we will be more efficient and more powerful in our struggle to prevent violation of human rights.
bicycle
risk
COLLECTIVE CHRONICLES
An open source study on traffic accidents resulting with the loss of cyclist was published online. With this study based on the incident which resulted the death of bicycle activist and cyclist Çağatay Avşar after hit by a car on June 17, 2010, the “Bicycle Risk Map” was created for Ankara. This work intended to reveal the inequalities in urban transport and violent processes that cyclists are exposed to in traffic.
map
Video
Collective Chronicles 1,5 Metre/ Bisikletlinin Trafikte Yaşam Hakkı Belgeseli You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
The Animal Rights Monitoring Center (HAKİM) intends to collect, archive and report violations of animal rights across Turkey, thus, make them visible in the media and public opinion, initiate legal processes where necessary and identify news in media which include hatred and discriminatory content. It also operates to establish a network against violation of animal rights. Travel, promotion, web site etc. expenses in HAKİM’s establishment period were met with the support of Sivil Düşün.
animal rights monitoring center
HAKİM
The problems of the vulnerable groups including the elderly, minorities, single women, unattended children and disabled refugees were sometimes ignored in humanitarian crises in Syria and Iraq. There is lack of information about the vulnerable groups especially among Yezidi refugees. This work intended to improve capabilities of information sharing and source sharing in procurement for coordinated and efficient service and aid among private sector groups, CSOs and local administration for offering help to Yazidi refugee and then other refugee groups in the long term. With this report, information was provided about the vulnerable groups among Yazidi refugees.
yazidi refugees report
RESEARCH CENTER ON ASYLUM AND MIGRATION
Video
Yazidi Refugees Report You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Increasing works and campaigns draw attention especially in the civil society about protection of personal data which is increasingly discussed in developed countries, mainly USA and EU. The activities in this field are very limited in our country. Information and awareness works in this field will contribute to eliminating a general and common victimization. This work intends to create a common expression and press freedom adopted by all segments of the society and to exhibit an attitude on confidentiality of private life as agreed by all segments. The main purpose of the study is to improve standards for protection of personal data in Turkey through sharing the best practices in EU with readers and participants through conferences.
protection of personal data in Turkey and EU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Ahmet Ceran tells about the “Manual for Protection of Personal Data in Turkey and EU”
You published the “Manual for Protection of Personal Data in Turkey and EU” in December with the support of Sivil Düşün. What does the manual aim for? How can we access it? What is personal data and why is it important to protect it? The purpose is not a milestone in the field, it does not look for answers to deep and complicated questions at the PhD level or it does not include a strict action plan. With this work, we try to demonstrate the standards, the conceptual framework and the current condition in Turkey in the field of protection of personal data among the main values which are the most affected by the rapid development and transformation in information technologies. The most priority anchor of Turkey in this field is EU, as can be clearly seen in the freedom of movement dialogue which is also frequently discussed in the press. Therefore, we review the standards of EU and the values underlined by it for them to be an efficient guideline in the example of Turkey. Our purpose was to raise awareness about protection of personal data of everyone from the simplest citizen in Turkey, to the businessman who makes unlimited data transfer everyday, the activist who has adopted the rights-based approach as a philosophy of life, the student who
We talked about the “Manual for Protection of Personal Data in Turkey and EU”, authored with the support of Sivil Düşün, with Ahmet Ceran from the Economic Development Foundation (İKV). Ceran talked about the relationship between the legislation and policies on protection of personal data with the problem of security and the rights-based approach. He also mentioned about the preparation process and possible consequences of the “protection of personal data law” which holds great importance in the European Union (EU) harmonisation process.
What are the differences between EU and Turkey in the approach to the issue?
spends a considerable amount of time before the computer screen and the student’s father who has recently discovered Facebook. On the other hand, European visa freedom for Turkish citizens also requires data security reforms at EU standards. We tried to discuss this dimension at large in our publication. The manual is available on the website of İKV www.ikv.org.tr and Sivil Düşün’s website sivildusun. net and the print form can be obtained from the EU Documentation Centre at İKV’s İstanbul Office, university libraries of various cities in Turkey and EU Information Centres.
EU approaches the issue in a protective and rights-based manner. As can be seen in the Eurobarometer survey conducted by EU organisations
It would be useful to provide the simplest description. Personal
in 2015 to measure the tendency of EU citizens, 89 per cent of them
data means “all kinds of information which belongs to a real
demand an efficient data security environment equal to EU. Therefore,
person whose identity is known or can be identified” as per Article
this demand is reflected on the data security policies of EU. It is also
3 of the Protection of Personal Data Law. Therefore, in a period in
based on the trauma caused in Europe by the assertions that EU leaders
which information is shared by billions of people on the internet,
and EU citizens use personal data for intelligence on the other side of
data can be sent, recorded, copied and analysed in seconds, our
the transatlantic, as can be seen in Snowden leaks. Even more recently,
personal data is at premium for private companies on commercial
the Court of Justice of the European Union, with a similar motivation,
terms and for governments in terms of security and control. In
suspended the Safe Port Treaty between USA and EU which allowed the
such an environment, it is very important to protect personal data
transfer of personal data for commercial purposes. Therefore, on current
to prevent misuse and arbitrary practices, guarantee fundamental
condition, EU authorities and citizens put protection of personal data as
human rights and regulate this field within the scope of the legal
a fundamental right at the centre of EU integration. In the ideal scenario,
framework. We need to mention the Turkey-EU relations briefly at
Turkey can be expected to approach the issue with a similar rights-based
this point. As we already emphasised before for many times, it is
approach. In the end, Turkey should not follow a different route, as a
required to efficiently protect personal data in Turkey for freedom of
country which is a part of the European human rights system, a part to the
Schengen visa to Turkish citizens. EU should put Turkey in the “safe
same international regulations and a state targeting for EU membership.
state” status. What if Turkey does not have this status? Very simple.
But I believe it is early to talk about a similar approach in Turkey. The
Turkish security forces cannot realise data sharing and efficient
practices in the upcoming period should be closely followed by the civil
cooperation with the security forces of EU, thus, we might have
society. Considering our laws, Turkish justice system and the political
negative reflections in a period when we need efficient cooperation
conjuncture, we can expect that Turkish authorities can depart from the
in the field of immigration management.
rights-based approach under the name of ensuring state security. We need to remember that the arbitrary use of personal data by state officials other than legitimate purposes might damage fundamental values such as the right to fair trial, personal freedom and security.
What is the Protection of Personal Data Law published in the Official Gazette in April? What does it require? What do Turkish citizens expect from the law?
If an approach based on “state security” is adopted and the law
How do you plan to ensure sustainability of your work?
considered to be an information and operation tool by authorities, the field of fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey will be severely
İKV has been closely following, affecting and interpreting the
damaged and can lead to violations of the rights of citizens based The Protection of Personal Data Law is a result of a 30 years’ effort of
Turkey-EU relations and the efforts to reach the European standards
on European Convention on Human Rights and European Court of
Turkey. It is actually a result of the works which couldn’t be realised
for more than 50 years. The issue of protection of personal data
Human Rights and arbitrary non-procedural actions independently
for 30 years in Turkey. Turkey is one of the first countries to take
is the hottest issue in both discussions of internal politics and
from the central administration. The dream of a visa-free Europe of
action by signing the European Council Convention numbered
the rule of law in EU and discussions on transatlantic commercial
Turkish citizens will also be negatively affected by these developments.
relationships. We can say this issue will be on the agenda of EU for
108, considered to be one of the first international regulations in
a long time. Considering Turkey-EU negotiations, reforms in this
the field, in 1981. Later, actions of Turkey stopped in 1981 and the
field are crucial for EU membership, a human rights regime at EU
legislation required by the Convention no 108 was not realised. At this point, the Law became the most important requirement to meet the criteria of the European Commission to provide visa freedom to Turkish citizens. After the intensive period in legislation
Identity and address information of millions of people was leaked online recently. What kind of measures does the Republic of Turkey plan to take in this respect?
and the Assembly started with the possible dates of October and
standards and realisation of visa freedom. Therefore, it will continue to be one of our priorities until a culture of data security based on fundamental rights and freedoms is created in Turkey, and Turkey achieves EU standards in this field and other associated values. This
What do you think about Sivil Düşün?
work prepared with the support of Sivil Düşün is a guideline which
then, June for visa freedom, the Protection of Personal Data Law
Beyond Turkey, there is a general state of unpreparedness across
was enacted rapidly. For some, the law does not provide complete
the world. When news was published about the leak of data of
assurance at EU standards. Similar criticism was also made by
Turkish citizens, the other headline was the Panama Documents
the European Commission. The 3rd assessment report on visa
which received worldwide attention. One of the important points
freedom issued by the Commission states that the Protection of
that need to be considered by rights defenders is where to
Personal Data Council will not have a completely independent
consider data security and where to consider the right to access to
structure if the law is implemented in its current form. Moreover,
information. We know Turkey keeps administrative and technical
the Commission states that the exceptional conditions which
reforms and increases personnel training for efficient protection
allow for access to personal data by public institutions without
of biometric data and /visa/passport/identity documentation and
the consent of the person are very comprehensive, which
developing information and e-government infrastructure of public
might lead to violations. What the citizens should expect will be
organisations. They are already among the priority requirements
shaped basing on the future approach of decision makers and
on the way to EU membership. A general Protection of Personal
I think activism is to act and have an effect. Today, when everybody can
practitioners. Although we cannot make a final assessment, we
Data Law has been prepared and a supervisory Board will be put to
access anything at any time and communication has reached unlimited
can provide two possible scenarios. If the decision makers and
service in the upcoming days. But the most important issue is the
capabilities, don’t we need to hear more about the good stories of the
practitioners adopt a rights-based approach and realise expected
mentality to prevent violations. Even if advanced level of technical,
good people? Therefore, activism means to me to leave our soundproof
improvements in consultation to the European Commission, a
administrative and occupation capacity is reached and the most
castles where we can only hear our own voice, to affect the public
pioneering foundation will be laid which adapts to the chaotic
advanced legislation is enacted, if the importance of respect for
opinion, to encourage to think even if it does not lead to change and
structure of the mobility of the information era. Implementing a
human rights and prevention of violations is not adopted by
to raise question marks. I think it is a heroic role. Especially in the 21st
general, regulative Law will be important to assure the rights of
practitioners, the public opinion and all stakeholders, all kinds of
century, activism should silently quit struggling with windmills and look
the citizens.
measures to be taken will be insufficient and will fail.
for more efficient ways to deal with concrete problems.
provides information about the general condition. I think our work
I think the Sivil Düşün Activist Programme is the most direct and
in the upcoming period will be more solution oriented, thematic
simplest support offered to the civil society in Turkey. It has become an
and micro scale analyses. The relationship of the issue with other
essential life buoy with this structure for every rights-based approach
associated rights, protection of personal data with data security in
at every scale. Even in the middle run, if Sivil Düşün continues with
the judicial system and the border security - open data/transparency
the same attitude, an efficient culture will be created where all
relationship will be addressed more in our future publications and
stakeholders adopt a simpler and result oriented approach in Turkey.
activities.
I think we should all eagerly follow the effect of the culture of Sivil Düşün on rights advocacy in Turkey.
What do you think activism is?
modular shelter design and mass feeding CEM ARSLAN
The Modular Shelter Design and Mass Feeding work intends to eliminate the challenging conditions for stray animals on KĹnalĹada when people go back to their winter houses. Systematic solutions are developed for animal’s shelter and food needs by the residents of the island.
Video
Modular Shelter Design and Mass Feeding You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
The LEGEBİT Ege University Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Studies Solidarity Group intends to increase awareness about LGBTI in the university with the Hatred-Free Campus.
hatred-free campus
LEBEBİT EGE UNIVERSITY SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY STUDIES SOLIDARITY GROUP
The group implemented the Hatred-Free Campus work although the university did not recognize them and caused challenges for 3 years. As a result of the work supported by Sivil Düşün EU Program, it is intended to raise awareness about LGBTI individuals, prevent discrimination, support organising common areas and using genderless toilets, make the university library have sufficient academic works about LGBTI individuals.
Within the scope of this work, LGBTI individuals and families who established an association in January 2015 were supported to make communication and promotion with visual and print materials to overcome prejudice about LGBTI individuals, parents and relatives. The materials include extracts from the processes experienced by LGBTI families with their children and relatives.
we overcome pre ju di ce with design LÄ°STAG
Can you tell us about the journey of “My Child”?
With Can Candan on My Child and Sivil Düşün EU Programme...
The journey of “My Child” started when I met LİSTAG in October 2010. Four parents from LİSTAG spoke at a panel in the “Trans Identities and Queer in Turkey” conference in Boğaziçi University. I had the idea of making this documentary while hearing their stories. We started our collaboration as they were ready to share their stories with the public. The preliminary filming started with 2011 Pride March. Then, we created the budget for six months. We created a crowdfunding campaign online. We had more than 300 supporters from different countries of the world, LGBTI organisations organised many solidarity events. Then, we were able to have our target budget thanks to corporate supporters. We started shooting at the end of 2011 and ended with 2012 Pride March. Film editing almost took six months and we made our first
Academic and documentary filmmaker Can Candan is the director of the feature documentary film “My Child”, which tells the story of a group of parents from Turkey who have gay, bisexual or trans children. Candan, after completing his BsC and PhD degrees in film and media arts, has given lectures in various universities since 1995. He has a seat in Boğaziçi University since 2007. He has been making independent films since 1989. “My Child” is the third feature documentary film of Candan. Sivil Düşün EU Programme supported the screening of “My Child” at the European Parliament and the advocacy works of the LGBTT Families İstanbul Group (LISTAG) for LGBTI rights in Turkey in the new constitutional process.
screening in Atlas Sineması in February 2013. We screened the film for more than 130 since then. In festivals, universities, forums, schools, associations. It was screened for six weeks. We launched a DVD and made it available online. We received media coverage and had various awards in this process.
Is there an increasing interest for the film? What kind of reactions do you receive?
What do you want to say about LİSTAG? LİSTAG, which was started by a few parents in 2008, is doing a very important job in my opinion. I think the struggle against heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia from inside the family institution is a very effective and transforming type of
The interest in the film is steadily continuing since its first
political action in a country with this level of homophobia
screening thanks to our ongoing distribution and promotion
and transphobia, where LGBTI individuals are killed for their
works. The film is getting known by more people. The interest
identities and sexual orientation. This effort of LİSTAG which
of media and people in general was higher than we expected.
started before the film is strengthened after all and continues
The reactions were almost all positive. The society needed this
to create awareness and transformation in the society even
documentary. We did not expect such interest. The film is still
if slowly. This provides an important contribution to the
screened.
struggle for LGBTI rights.
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream.” What is your civil dream? My civil dream is that people in this country have a word in their own lives and future, management is structured horizontally and in this process, people can touch and understand each other, laugh and cry together.
What comes to your mind when you think of activism? To put up a long struggle hand in hand to transform the society. As LİSTAG volunteers do.
What do you think about the current status and future of rights-based activities and activism?
What do you think is the solution?
I think we are in a critical position in Turkey in this respect. We
right struggles. To acknowledge these rights and to enforce and
try to bring opponent voices to create a new democratic Turkey.
actually implement necessary laws… This is what LGBTI organisations
Young people are the leaders here. The opposition questions the
say too: “We need a law to struggle with discrimination in every field.”
past and itself and experience how a new opposition can be. The
We need to struggle without giving up to achieve it. I hope young
routines are broken. The most concrete example of it was the Gezi
people will not continue to be the victims of honour killings while
resistance. Hrant Dink’s funeral, Berkin’s funeral were important
this struggle continues.
social reactions. This is a long marathon but we can’t go back now.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün EU Programme?
What do you think is the biggest problem for LGBTI individuals in Turkey? I think we are in a critical position in Turkey in this respect. We try
Sivil Düşün EU Programme supported the screening of “My
to bring opponent voices to create a new democratic Turkey. Young
Child” in the European Parliament and the advocacy works for
people are the leaders here. The opposition questions the past and
LGBTI rights in Turkey in the new constitutional process and
itself and experience how a new opposition can be. The routines are
provided a serious financial support which is much needed
broken. The most concrete example of it was the Gezi resistance.
by civil society initiatives. This kind of support is critical for
Hrant Dink’s funeral, Berkin’s funeral were important social reactions.
empowerment of the civil society.
This is a long marathon but we can’t go back now.
The solution is simple and not separated or independent from other
The study was implemented as a model by the Mahsus Mahal Association and the Nilüfer Municipality. The work included activities for solution of problems and needs of prisoners with specific needs in the prisons in the district. It was intended to ensure that the Nilüfer Municipality promises to reserve a budget for prisons in the revision stage of five year strategic budget plans and develop policies to improve prison conditions and meet their needs.
local administrations’ (municipalities) cooperation and participation with prison administrations MAHSUS MAHAL ASSOCIATION
Aytekin Yılmaz tells: To trigger local administrations for prisons
What to do to draw attention of the local administration and provide services to prisons? How do you plan to ensure sustainability of your work?
First, the Nilüfer Municipality adopted a very meaningful work by
I already answered what local administrations should do. Here, the problem is to bring this model we started with the Nilüfer Municipality to all city and district municipalities. We can be a facilitator at the most as a CSO. The implementers of this activity are now the Nilüfer
showing courage. I congratulate the municipality and the working group once again. We knew they adopted original activities. Therefore, we presented our first activity to them, and they
You are engaged in an activity to ensure local administrations provide service to prisons. Why do you need such activity? What is your purpose?
adopted it without any condition. I think this work is a reform for both municipalities and prisons. With this activity, prisons which had been avoided since the Republic and not included in the five-year plans were included in the five-year budget planning for
What we do with “Aralık Proje” is to try to do the necessary by
the first time with the Nilüfer Municipality. We need to consider
considering a problem which was previously neglected and
activities of local administrations for prisons. We need to remember
overseen. This activity tells local administrations (municipalities)
that today’s prisoners were once one of us. They will be together
that they could include the prisons located in the borders of their
with us again when they are released tomorrow. They can be our
cities and districts into the process of preparations for their five-year
friends and neighbours, what kind of a friend or a neighbour do
strategic plans.
we want? All districts should give an answer to this question.
What kind of services can local administrations offer in prisons? This activity has a few steps; we summarise them under three headings. The first is to enable shared spaces in prisons. Municipalities can provide the same in prisons as they realise arts
We talked with Aytekin Yılmaz from the Mahsus Mahal Association about how they organise their activities for local administrations to bring service to prisons, as well as their achievements.
What kind of steps did you take in the process to signing a protocol with the Nilüfer Municipality? What do you think were the key points in this achievement?
Everybody can turn up in a prison at any time. Prisons are the most comprehensive places in a country.
Do organisations cooperate? What kind of reactions do you expect from prison administrations and municipalities?
events and workshops in culture centres. The second is to meet
A prison is a special institution. We knew from our previous
special needs of prisoners with a special condition. Municipalities
works that there are security concerns and challenges. Prisons
can offer support for meeting special needs of the disabled, sick,
are challenging and problematic places. Therefore, they require
foreign nationals, LGBTI, mothers, elderly and deserted prisoners.
more attention from civil society organisations (CSO) and
The third is about the process after discharge from prison. We call it
local administrations. Despite occasional problems, prison
“reparticipation of ex-prisoners in society.” As known, municipalities
administrations do not ignore the works of the civil society,
are the members of Protection and Assistance Boards operating
especially municipalities. Prison administers complain about that
under the Directorates of Probation. We are engaged in some
CSOs do not show sufficient interest. “December Project” will
activities to make municipalities more efficient in these boards.
facilitate the work of prison administers in many aspects.
Municipality in its own region.
Every municipality should ask this question: Although they create a budget for almost every institution and shared space within their borders, why don’t they do the same for prisons? “December Project” reminds what is neglected and overseen to all municipalities like a homework. Municipalities should include prisons in their strategic five-year plans in the new period. We will follow the process and remind it by traveling cities if necessary.
How do you define activism? It would not be accurate to put activism in a definition as a concept, it can have multiple definitions. What I understand from an activist is a person who brings solutions to social problems. I support civil and non-violent activism. The problem solver in the field without being engaged anywhere is a civil activist.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün? Sivil Düşün implements an activism programme, which, as I mentioned earlier, tries to bring solutions to problems. Sivil Düşün EU Programme has proven that for multiple times: the size of a work cannot be measured by its budget. With small budgets, big and original activities can be realised. We hereby extend our gratitude to Sivil Düşün EU Programme and the Consulate General of Sweden to İstanbul.
It was intended to make disaster and emergency works considering the social gender perspective and thus to protect and support women’s rights in humanitarian aid works. It was planned to discuss in the workshop being aware of different needs by genders, equal participation of women in organisation of aid works, making women’s problems and needs visible in needs analysis.
workshop on women’s rights and problems in disaster and emergency works BLUE PEN SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION
Web W http://www.aadkadin.com
What are the outcomes of your workshop about the problems of women in disasters?
Notes from Mavi Kalem ‘Women in disasters and emergencies’ workshop
In disasters and social crises, the way and severity of being affected and reactions of different segments of the society - women, men, girls and boys, LGBTI individuals, elderly people- are different. Therefore, humanitarian aid should be planned considering these differences. We discussed how women can be affected and how we can compensate loss of rights on these occasions. The already mainstreamed gender inequality has more severe impacts in extraordinary cases such as disaster, crisis and conflict. This can lead to damages in preparation for emergencies and in the changing and unsafe environment after a crisis. The studies on the problems of women in disasters out of their gender roles point at five main headings. We created our workshop subjects on these headings. Workshop groups shared their experiences about the problems and their ideas for solution. These five headings are:
A study by Oxfam in some villages affected by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean revealed that the number of women who died were multiple times more than the number of men who died, which can be attributed to the fact that women had less skills in climbing a tree and swimming. We do not have data on the gender of the victims of the Marmara earthquake, but we know women tried to change their clothing before leaving their houses.
unwanted births - which was frequent in the regions we worked after the Marmara earthquake - infections and bleeding due to lack of necessary care and hygiene after delivery increase vulnerabilities of women. About 3 million Syrian refugees arrived in Turkey after the man-made disaster, differently from natural disasters. The fact that Syrian women came to a country with a health system does not release them from these problems.
2- Infections: The challenge of access to clean water, women engaging in the cleaning of the living space, necessity to use clean or dirty water, unavailability of gender-suitable toilets, not providing necessary hygiene in menstruation periods, shared toilets, women being hesitated from changing clothes in a crowd, lighting problems which make it hard to use the toilets at night look very simple but can lead to many problems including skin infections, sexually transmitted diseases and genital infections which can damage the entire female population. 3-
Pregnancy
complications:
Women should have access to
Mavi Kalem Association organised a workshop on ‘’Women in Disasters and Emergencies‘’ on April 16-17, 2016. In the workshop, humanitarian aid organisations and women’s organisations discussed current and possible problems of women in case of disasters and emergencies. Filiz Ayla from the Mavi Kalem Association shared the outcomes of the workshop organised with the support of Sivil Düşün.
In these periods, women’s deaths caused by problems with pregnancy,
They need and have the right to obtain reproductive health services by specialist people. Many factors including being registered or not, living in a camp or living independently affect service provision. Presentations on the studies on Syrian refugee women and their problems demonstrate that women do not have sufficient access to reproductive health services. 4- Sexual violence: Disasters demolish all systems comprised of social solidarity, protection and living norms. Violence, and mainly sexual violence, can increase and women can be more vulnerable to violence from strangers because of reduced safe spaces. Families torn apart and women left isolated because of disasters can be an easy target of violence and can be excluded from the society as with any
1- The characteristics of women which are directly affected by the gender
reproductive health services in case
role, such as the way they were raised, skills, capabilities and courage,
of disasters and crises. These services
this can be called the direct effect. For example, women have less skills
are required from the first day
than men in swimming or climbing a tree, less decision making in
after the disaster because female
Sensitive Disaster Management / Chaman Pincha-2009” which was
leaving the house, bringing their children to a safe place, wearing more
survivors might include pregnant or
translated by Kocaeli University and adapted with the examples from
restrictive clothing, wearing clothes which are accepted outside the house
delivering women, premature births,
the Marmara earthquake. Moreover, Syrian refugees are known to be
before leaving the house in case of a disaster, all these conditions can be
puerperant women, nursing women
forced to marry, marry as a second wife and engage in prostitution.
explained by the roles attributed to women. These examples can look very
and women who might need an
Aid organisations are carrying out some works on violence but this
simple and you may not think they could create such difference. However,
abortion or a birth control tool.
problem can only be eliminated with systematic measures, and
researchers from the London School of Economics and Essex University
The distributed systems should be
government and social support structures should play a role. We
evaluated 21 years of data on natural disasters from 141 countries and
quickly re-established to offer these
do not know what is exactly going on in this field, we do not have
saw that more women died in natural disasters than men. The impact of
services on healthy conditions and
much data, only aid organisations and women’s organisations have
the foregoing is not negligible among these deaths.
by specialist people.
information about their own groups.
cases after the Marmara earthquake. There are examples of sexual violence cases after the Marmara earthquake in the book “Gender
What kind of reactions did you receive from the humanitarian aid organisations in the field after the workshop?
5- Human/women trafficking: I will refer to the Marmara earthquake again because it has been 17 years and it is widely known now. Some women were missing although their number is not known, and there is information that some of them were forced to prostitution. According
There were 49 participants from 20 organisations in the workshop and
to the estimations of the United Nations, 15 thousand people - mostly
there were international and national humanitarian aid organisations
women and girls - fell victim to human traffickers to be forced to
operating in the field, other than women’s organisations. They shared
prostitution or forced labour after the 2015 Nepal earthquake. This can be the hardest part, when social ties are loosened and people are desolated, if new support and solidarity networks cannot be established rapidly, women become much more vulnerable.
Do you plan any prevention work about the problems of women in disasters? The workshops mainly focused on Syrian refugee women because
their works and experience.
Did women who personally experienced these problems provide any contribution to your workshops? If so, what were the main points?
One of our purposes was to see the issue from a different perspective by bringing together humanitarian aid and women’s organisations. I think we have realised it.
it was a part of our agenda. All participants agreed that our work
They were not affected personally by these problems but all speakers
was the first step and it should continue with more efficient
were the women who were in the field and worked with the victims
The workshop will be completed in one week after sharing our book,
creating sensitivity in our workshops.
participation of public organisations. We plan to take practical
to be a part of the solution. Most of the participants had also took part
I think we will also receive feedback from organisations which did not
steps in more specific areas and conduct new result oriented
in the field and worked with women.
attend the workshop.
It is very important that aid personnel have gender sensitivity and
works. These works can be made more efficient with partnership
arrive at the site with this approach. The first step in humanitarian aid
of a few groups.
We also included the themes of aid personnel having a gender-sensitive approach, participation of men in reducing women’s vulnerability and
The examples from the field demonstrated the importance of a complete look at the increased vulnerability of women in disasters. If
should be not to cause harm. It is necessary to create communication
Was there any development in Turkey which facilitated political enforcement or accelerated legislation on women or refugees?
environments where the affected population, here women, can feel
The workshop outcome booklet will be published online, both
you are in the field, if you are sensitive to women’s problems or you are
safe. They should have access to specialist personnel in addition to
speech texts and workshop outcomes will be available. Moreover,
a woman, you can obviously see the problem. But there are challenges
Turkey signed the İstanbul Convention in 2014. The İstanbul Convention
information about the laws and regulations.
Mavi Kalem is a member of international humanitarian aid networks
in solutions. Public organisations and legal regulations should have
encourages member stated to make legal regulations on violence
including Sphere Project, Core Humanitarian Standards- CHS
the same perspective to provide a solution. For example, access to
against women and domestic violence and create efficient practices.
Alliance, An International Network for Education in Emergencies-
reproductive health services is a very important topic. It is a basic need
On the other hand, the states which signed the Convention on Refugee
INEE. We want to translate the booklet into English and share with
for all women and comprehensive work cannot be organised in case
Status guarantees to define violence against women based on gender
them. Humanitarian aid organisations in the world have been
of a disaster. Sometimes there are legal requirements, as experienced
as a mode of violence which requires additional protection. These two
discussing needs analysis and gender analysis in aid works for
by Syrian refugees now, and sometimes there are challenges about
about 7-8 years and standards have been established. The gender
efficient cooperation with public organisations.
scale is implemented in programs and is still being discussed. The
conventions are the foundations to create protective measures with the legislation in the field. Therefore, refugee women also have the right to benefit from the “Law on Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women” numbered 6284. However, benefiting from
purpose is to identify different needs of different genders and age
Increasing the capacities of humanitarian aid organisations was
groups and contribute to gender equality. There are organisations
one of the important topics. It is important that they have a gender
which aim for implementing these standards in Turkey, besides
equality perspective, identify cases of abuse and violence and arrange
international organisations.
their attitude and behaviours with this knowledge.
However, it should be noted that women organisations should
One speech was on “disaster and manhood”. Many examples
Moreover, legal regulations about temporary residence for Syrian
be involved in the process and communication and cooperation
were given from the field about men with identities in the family
refugees, work permit for population under protection, placing Syrian
should be established between humanitarian aid organisations
damaged, losing their works and income and being differently
refugee children in primary schools or schools which offer education
and them. A perspective of gender equality will be missing without
affected by the disaster. I think it provided an important input for
with the Syrian curriculum within the body of the national education
the contribution of women organisations.
all participants.
have gained momentum for the last year.
these services depends on many factors other than the law. For example, women being informed about their rights, receiving specialist and language assistance in monitoring of legal processes, feeling themselves safe in social environments are important.
How can experiences of women in the Syrian case be distinguished from other disaster periods?
Can you please provide some examples to reports, documents, etc. which contributed to your work?
How do you plan to ensure sustainability of your work? We need to talk about three steps for sustainability: To provide
The start of conflict in Syria, and immigration and refugee status
They learn Turkish later than children and men, because they spend
We translated a translation document for the workshop and examined
funding, to cooperate with various organisations, and to be in the
caused by the war, are different from natural disasters. It takes
more time at home caring for the elderly or the children. This factor
many documents in the preparation stage. To give a few examples;
field. Our works cover all three of them. Mavi Kalem identified the
longer to return back to normal in these man-made disasters.
sets back solution of problems and adaptation.
In this process, incidents of sexual violence against women and women trafficking can occur. Although it is far from us, we need to discuss the experiences of the Yezidi women as it is connected with the Syrian war. Everybody knows about the sexual assaults and them being traded on the human market. We knew similar cases happened in other conflict areas recently, for example in Bosnia and Herzegovina, women were systematically forced to rape or sexual slavery. In war, rape, a mode of harming the breed according to the male dominant mentality, targets the women’s body as a method of war. Just to have this information and hear about the examples will cause a sense of insecurity, even panic, in a refugee woman. As we learned from different reports and site surveys on refugees coming to Turkey, crowded families have at least 3 children, 7-8, or sometimes 10 people live together in a small house. Women care for their families but they do not have regular income, official records or social support. If there is not an adult male in the family to work to earn money, it becomes another extra burden on the woman. Women should keep on living with their social identities lost in a different culture and a different language. War and immigration lead to more severe conditions. As an important issue of a refugee population, being faced with
Still, there are courageous and committed women who seek for solution to their own problems, use their education and specialties to survive and to be a part of the solution to problems of the entire
priority work groups for this year and the next year as refugee women Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in
and girls. We prepare our works and projects for the selected groups.
Humanitarian Action
For example, in our project for empowerment of young girls which
Making Disaster Risk Reduction Gender-Sensitive- Policy and Practical Guidelines
refugee population. DG ECHO Thematic Policy Documents – N°6: Gender: Different Needs,
Does the European Union have attempts to prevent violation of rights of refugee women? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have activities for legal support for Syrian women refugees, ensuring physical safety, health support, psycho-social support and other interventions with violations of rights. The European Union organisations have programs which cover
Adapted Assistance OXFAM MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR GENDER IN EMERGENCIES
ended in February, we prepared empowerment workshops for Turkish young girls to know their own bodies, to protect their health, to be informed about violence, assault and harassment and to have information about their judicial rights and protection methods and we implemented them in three different groups. Now, we try to adapt these series of workshops to Syrian young women. We also plan to make new events for solutions to the problems in the
Sürdürülebilir Afet Yönetimi ve Kadın – Zuhal Yonca Odabas- Ankara Univ.
sub-topics of the workshop soon.
Managing gender-based violence programmes in emergencies
What do you think about Sivil Düşün?
The Gendered Nature of Natural Disasters: The Impact of Catastrophic Events on the Gender Gap in Life Expectancy, 1981–2002
Sivil Düşün EU Programme made us realise our dream, it was very important for us. We realise the intersection of the two fields we work
service and support for Syrian women refugees, executed in
TÜRKİYE’DEKİ SURİYELİ MÜLTECİLERE YAPILAN SAĞLIK YARDIMLARININ YASAL
in, working standards in disasters and emergencies and women’s
cooperation with different organisations.
VE ETİK TEMELLERİ / Ömer YAVUZ -Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
rights/women’s health rights. We are excited to share its outputs.
Toplumsal Cinsiyete Duyarlı Afet Yonetimi / Chaman Pincha-2009-Kocaeli
We learned a new working method in the process. I would like to
University
thank Sivil Düşün on behalf of my colleagues.
Conditions of Syrian refugee women, status of refugee and conditions for acceptance by the European Union states are discussed at different platforms. However, I need to admit that
A practical guide to Gender-sensitive Approaches for Disaster Management /
the attitude of the European Union towards Syrian refugees and
International Federation of RC and RC societies
the extradition agreement signed with Turkey shows us that the
discrimination, being excluded and isolated, not being accepted
fundamental human rights of refugees are not acknowledged by
by the local people is the problem of the entire refugee population.
anyone. They do not have the right to travel, to seek asylum in
Women frequently experience it as they interact with the local
safety, families are torn apart and 7,000 people who fled by the sea
community for their household needs and for education of their
died on their way to Europe.
children. The same thing happens when they seek for services in
War on Women: Time for Action to End Sexual Violence in Conflict - May 2011 - Nobel Women’s Initiative
How would you define activism? Since Mavi Kalem’s establishment 15 years ago, volunteering has become a lifestyle. It is a way of living based on sharing and solidarity. We have always known learning and developing in the field is mutual. We learned
SURİYELİ SIĞINMACILARIN TÜRKİYE’YE ETKİLERİ - January 2015 / ORSAM
and shared a lot. I would like to see activism from this perspective.
SURİYELİ SIĞINMACILAR VE SAĞLIK HİZMETLERİ RAPORU – 2014 / TTB
I think activism is to believe it can be done and to struggle for it. In our own field, it means to change something to better, to leave positive
case of sexual assault, seek for health care services or look for jobs.
More efficient steps can be taken with the support of national and
KAMP DIŞINDA YAŞAYAN SURİYELİ KADIN SIĞINMACILAR RAPORU - 2014 /
marks on the lives, places and cases and to become a part of the solution.
They can even be prevented from receiving social services.
international civil society organisations.
MAZLUMDER
We will feel more energetic as we do it and we will want more.
It was intended to draw attention to women’s rights and violence against women in cooperation with the Muş Kadın Çatısı Association and KESK Muş Branch and women in Muş on March 8.
women meet on March 8
MUŞ KADIN ÇATISI ASSOCIATION
A press release was read before the municipality, people marched, hanged posters and a cocktail and film screening was organised at the head office.
Can we know about you? All founding members and members of the Muş Kadın Çatısı Association are women. Our purpose is to make the problem visible to prevent honour killings in the rural, early/forced marriages and
Let’s know about the Muş Kadın Çatısı Association
abuse of children. We are engaged in training and advocacy activities to create awareness in the society. We take active role in many platforms including the Women’s Council, No to Child Brides Platform, End of Violence Platform, Women’s Platform Against Sexual Violence, Small National Assembly, Muş Civil Society Platform operating at the national and international level.
What are the targets of the Muş Kadın Çatısı Association?
What do you think is the biggest problem facing women in Turkey?
Political parties should support participation of women in politics,
In Turkey, three women are murdered everyday, one of every
women should be granted special subsidies for their participation in
four women experiences physical violence from her husband
work life and vocational courses should be provided for women.
or relative at least once throughout her life. Domestic violence, honour killings, early marriages, girls not being schooled, preventing women’s employment in work life are some of them.
works for schooling of girls and preventing early/forced marriages,
How did you learn about Sivil Düşün EU Programme? Can you tell us about Sivil Düşün Support?
Violence against women in Turkey is increasing in the family and
We saw Sivil Düşün EU Programme on social media and mail groups.
in the public domain. While pulling the age of marriage from
They ensured our continuity and increased our capacity by offering
17 to 14 means child abuse, marrying a raped woman with the
us support at the time when we needed it the most.
rapist legitimises violence. The state does not find it necessary to intervene in domestic violence. Women, who do not have
What do you think about Sivil Düşün EU Programme?
To support participation of women efficiently and comprehensively
a right even on their own body, cannot realise an independent
as independent individuals and equal citizens in the process of
living, as prevented by the male dominant system. While 50 per
First, it is important that they take applications in Turkish and the
establishing and protecting an equal and peaceful social order at the
cent of young men aged between 15-24 are not involved in work
application form is simple for local organisations. Generally, the application
national and international level,
force, this rate is 74 per cent in young women (source: TÜİK 2012).
form and conditions of activities are very hard and organisations like us
The political participation of women is limited with 14 per cent.
cannot apply as we do not meet the conditions. The fact that the project
Women not being aware of their rights and not taking part in
team is comprised of people who are sensitive to civil society activities
social areas make themselves more passive in stereotyped gender
and put an effort in this field allows healthier operations.
To identify obstacles to participation of women and girls in work life, To struggle to ensure women live in healthy conditions and reach
roles. The pressure from the environment and the family limit their
health services,
freedom, isolate them from the society and push them to learned helplessness.
The Muş Kadın Çatısı Association is an association which has adopted the principle of making the problem visible to prevent honour killings in the rural, early/forced marriages and abuse of children, founding members and members of which are all women. While March 8, the Women’s Day, was approaching, we had an interview with the Muş Kadın Çatısı Association, one of the civil society organisations (CSO) supported by Sivil Düşün EU Programme about their activities and being a woman in Turkey. You can learn more about this association which says “Long live women’s solidarity” below.
apply the 50 percent quota, ministries and CSOs should execute joint
To ensure women and girls have equal education and work opportunities, contribute to their empowerment on social, cultural, individual, political and legal terms.
What do you think is the solution?
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream? Everything is easier with Sivil Düşün.
We don’t think Turkey is a problematic country on legal terms. Our
Do you have a message for the Women’s Day?
What are the most distinguishing aspects of your works?
country is one of the first countries to sign international conventions
Not to remain silent despite all the negativities, to seek for our
To operate by approaching women’s rights from a holistic perspective
6284 will yield positive results, albeit not to the extent we desire.
and considering the relation between various topics related to
There are problems in implementation of laws. To eliminate these
women (violence against women, education, economic rights, legal
problems, it is necessary to change the gender perception of the
rights, sexuality, reproductive rights, rights of girls, etc.), to use various
personnel (doctors, the police, social workers, judges, prosecutors,
methods such as action, research, education, impacting decision
etc.) in the structure that intervenes with the women who are
making and policy levels, creating pressure groups and lobbying
victims of violence or married at a young age. This requires providing
together in our operations.
training programs such as women’s human rights training.
such as CEDAW, İstanbul Convention. We also believe the law no
rights, to know our rights, to bring unity and solidarity together by emphasising struggle and to continue in solidarity is important and meaningful for all women. A struggle should be started with the richness of different views. Because it is a struggle which addresses the entire society and which will continue shoulder to shoulder with all women who believe in peace, democracy and women’s struggle. Women on the streets! Long live March 8, long live women’s solidarity!
Bicycle activism aims for demonstrating that in car dominated traffic, other vehicles, especially bicycles are important for the urban life and drivers need to be aware of this fact. After attending the VeloCity conference, the biggest cycling activist event in the world, Pınar Pinzuti succeeded in reaching decision making mechanisms of public institutions and municipalities.
cyclism Video
PINAR PİNZUTİ
Cyclism You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Can you tell us about Sivil Düşün Support? I published translations of foreign articles on sustainable transport and transport policies of liveable cities on my blog called Bisikletizm. I really wanted to go to VeloCity, which is the biggest
Interview with Pınar Pinzuiti on Sivil Düşün and bicycle activism
bicycle conference in the world. VeloCity included successful projects of visionary mayors in transport, and sharing information and experiences of bicycle activists from all over the world. I wanted to hear the works on bicycle transport of countries very similar to ours on social and economic terms and to mention them in Turkey. When I learned that no municipality staff from Turkey went was attending this conference. I asked for support by applying to Sivil Düşün EU Programme. The assessment period was completed rapidly and they organised my travel abroad.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün? I find Sivil Düşün EU Programme very valuable for their support to individual activities. It is very useful that they support awareness raising activities, especially about minority groups, have a simple
Pınar Pinzuti was born in İzmir in 1979. After graduating from İzmir Bornova Anatolian High School, she studied Japanese Language and Education in Ankara University. She served in the European Volunteering Service for 12 months in Germany within the scope of the EU Youth Programme. Two people from Turkey attended this programme. She received Social Pedagogy education in Germany with a scholarship. She worked for six years in Germany and in private sector for four years in Italy and returned to İzmir in 2011. “I used public transport, and mostly bicycle in my daily life abroad. When I came to Turkey, I saw cyclists were not respected and the municipality did not do anything for pedestrians and cyclists,” says Pinzuti. “Let alone the bicycle road, there was not even a proper sidewalk. I started a blog on bicycle transport and lifestyle, I attended events with the bicycle activists who meet on social media, I visited panels organised by the municipality and told authorities about our requests.” In 2013, she participated in VeloCity, which is the biggest bicycle conference of the world organised annually. In October this year, her letter on foldable bicycle and not being allowed on public transport yielded a result, and the municipality invited Pinzuti to a meeting and found her requests justifiable. Pinzuti says: “I won! As a bicycle activist, my voice is heard and some things are changing!”
Can you tell us about bicycle activism?
and easy application process and a fast assessment process and ask
Bicycle activism is not different from general activism. It is a
for our opinion and evaluation on a periodical basis. I believe Sivil
complement of actions rendered intentionally to create a social or
Düşün staff do their job with great commitment.
political change. To give an example, as a bicycle activist, I wrote to newspapers and asked them to discuss bicycle transport in their columns, sent Twitter messages to department heads in charge of transport, wrote criticism about the projects of architects and urban planners which did not include cyclers and shared them on social media, attended events on cyclist safety,conferences on sustainable transport and liveable cities, and asked them, “Where is bicycle in your agenda?”. I am not a terrorist but an advocate. While expecting the municipality to do something, I invited people, especially my peers (adults with a profession and a family) to be conscious about their preference of mode of transport. I tell how cycling makes you feel free in my blog and conference speeches. Routines are hard to break but social change is not possible unless people don’t change their habits.
What do you think about the current status and future of rights-based activities and activism in Turkey? I can only answer it basing on my own experience. As a blogger
You are also a part of the Chic Women’s Bicycle Tour organised in September. What did it aim at? How successful was it?
and a bicycle activist, I am invited to conferences as a speaker and
The Chic Women’s Bicycle Tour emerged after a woman challenged
sit at the same table with decision makers. I think social media and
the rules of the male dominant bicycle world in our country. Sema
the internet play a very important role in the future of rights-based
Gür from İzmir sent an invitation to her friends on social media to
works and activism. To give a simple example, it is very easy to
cycle, wearing any clothing she desires not in sports clothing like
collect signatures on change.org. Activists who can be organised
men do, to go somewhere safely on the streets and to encourage
on social media come together more frequently to share their
women to go out freely. She suggested wearing chic clothes and
experiences and individuals with a regional effect should get
making a cycling tour on a Sunday three years ago. 250 women
together and do something at the national level. It is only possible
came with their bicycles and the media coverage was significant.
with financial support.
We were even more crowded the next year. This year, we had our names heard when foreign newspapers and TV channels covered us. Women were on the streets at the same time in 10 cities on September 20. I call it our tour because women adopted the idea of Sema. This event is only for women, it is not adopted by any political party, organisation or brand. The main reason for its success is that it is sincere, voluntary and independent. The purpose is to ensure safe bicycle transport for women on the streets. We closed streets to traffic with our crowded groups this year. The number of cycling women is increasing every year. I manage the website, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages of the Chic Women’s Bicycle Tour and translate for foreign press.
Will the Chic Women transform into a continuous act? It will continue as long as women are willing to cycle. On the World’s Car Free Day in September each year. Women who attend the Chic Women’s Bicycle Tour continue to create local cycling women groups in their own cities.
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream? My civil dream is to live in a country where children cycle to go to school.
Generally, in villages deprived of urban services, especially the elderly and primary school children have very limited access to information. In this respect, it was intended to open a culture house which would host panels, discussions, film screenings, offer free internet connection and have a library in Klaskur village of Artvin. The headman of the village, Şenol Taban, aimed for rearranging the Village House, which has not been actively used.
klaskur ŞENOL TABAN
Video
culture house
Klaskur Culture House You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
The work published on siddethikayeleri.com intends to make visible the violation of rights and violent acts for discrimination at various locations of Turkey. It tries to prevent normalisation of social violence. Two persons intended to realize interviews with victims and record violations of rights in the Aegean and Marmara regions.
aegean and marmara regions study visit
STORIES OF VIOLENCE FROM TURKEY
Web
http://www.siddethikayeleri.com/
Solfasol is a monthly Ankara newspaper published since May 2011. It is also a source filled with universal discussions on modern urban works. With the support, workshops about new media digital journalism,social media, data mining, data visualisation, data verification,digital visual tools, citizen journalism, rights journalism were held. At the end of the workshops, Solfasol digital platform was established after the discussion on unique content format and digital production model.
dijital
SOLFASOL
This work intended to create a network for women organisations and offer project development training in Southeastern Anatolia. This support aimed at organising panels with women CSOs and distributing brochures and Violence Against Women handbooks.
hand in hand with women’s civil society organisations
YÜKSEKOVA WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Can we know about you? The Yüksekova Women’s Association was established in March 2009. Our association has adopted the principle of gender equality in the first place. Our purposes include to offer legal support for women, to prepare and realise projects about women’s employment, struggle
Interview with the Yüksekova Women’s Association on being a woman in Turkey
against violence, democratisation and human rights, develop a joint attitude to women’s problems, to struggle with all kinds of obstacles to providing schooling and education to girls, to ensure girls and women benefit from primary, secondary, university and all kinds of vocational education and distant learning and other adult education programs, to ensure provision of vocational courses, to establish women’s solidarity centres and operate, to organise aid campaigns for victims and women in need and to bring them together with donors.
Can you tell us about the Yüksekova Women’s Association and your activities? Our Association opened information and training courses in the district centre and 10 villages in Yüksekova within the scope of the One for All project under SODES in 2010 and made activities for schooling of girls and women. In 2011, it established a women’s solidarity centre in the
What do you think is the solution?
district through the “Anlattıkça Güçlenen Kadınlar” project within the
Empowering women. They should have the power and capability to
scope of the Global Dialogue in 2011 and offered social, physical and
leave the environment of violence. Empowering means we are aware
legal support to women with volunteering lawyers and psychologists.
of our identity as a woman and struggle for equality in solidarity. The
In 2012, it implemented the women’s solidarity centre activities of the
foundation of the women’s struggle should be the struggle for equality
Gelişen Yüksekova, “Değişen Kadınlar” project under the Global Dialogue
and freedom, by understanding the already available inequality. Various
and made a survey on women’s problems in the district and provided
trainings should be organised on gender equality on a regular basis.
significant data. In 2012, it printed panels and booklets on violence
“For equality and freedom, everyday is March 8, everyday we will struggle. Long live women’s solidarity,” says the Yüksekova Women’s Association. We talked on the activities of the association, relationship with Sivil Düşün EU Programme and being a woman in Turkey with the Yüksekova Women’s Association, one of the civil society organisations (CSO) supported by Sivil Düşün EU Programme.
against women in the “Kadınlar Bilinçleniyor” project under Open Society Foundation and achieved a great success in quarters and villages. We organised panels within the scope of the “El Ele” project with women CSOs with the support of Sivil Düşün EU Programme and distributed one thousand Violence Against Women manuals.
What do you think is the biggest problem facing women in Turkey? Men’s violence.
How did you learn about Sivil Düşün EU Programme? Can you tell us about Sivil Düşün Support?
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream? A woman is the summary of life.
Do you have a message for the Women’s Day? March 8, Women’s Day has become a day filled with unnecessary speeches which try to present these problems as a comic, but actually a tragicomic dispute between men and women. The women’s struggle for equality and freedom cannot be filled in a day, nor it is a day for celebration. What are you celebrating? While
We heard it online. We wanted to work with women’s CSOs in
there is no reduction in unequal treatment to women and there
Hakkari city and Yüksekova district. We framed an activity. We
is increased killing of women and violence against women? Do
met women’s CSOs and unions in the city. We hired a place for
you give a red clove to the victim? Women cannot be free unless
the panel. We invited Attorney Hülya Gülbahar about violence
they are treated equally. Equal rights, equal opportunities, equal
against women and legal arrangements. We hang three thousand
participation for all women any time anywhere… We will struggle
brochures and posters in the city. We distributed one thousand
for equality and freedom on March 8 and every other day. Long
violence manuals.
live women’s solidarity.
general audience
ONUR MAT
genelizleyici.com is an open source platform developed to monitor politicians’ social media posts and the political agenda. 1.7 million tweets posted by MPs or referred to MPs, including those deleted between July-November 2015, were collected and published in categories in a user-friendly manner. This support intends to make the work visible and expand its scope. Video
ď ‹
General audience You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Web W http://genelizleyici.com/
Commercial and sexual exploitation of children cover child trafficking, child pornography, early and forced marriage, sexual intent child tourism. The biggest challenges of CSOs in this field are insufficiency of public officers, unhealthy data collected by the state and inadequacy of funding. Activities were organised to improve the corporate capacity of the network and data/ reporting training was provided.
NETWORK AGAINST COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
Can you tell us about the Network Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and its activities? It is a network of civil society organisations (CSO) on eliminating children’s trade, prostitution, pornography and all kinds of sexual
Support from Sivil Düşün to The Network Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (ÇTCS)
exploitation of children in Turkey, operating since 2007. There are 48 CSOs operating at the local and national level in the network. A Youth Network was established to ensure participation of the children and the youth. The Network was organised in six cities as of 2015. The Network plans a Youth Camp to evaluate the activities of the last period and to make the action plan for the next period. Our target is to make campaigns about sex tourism, children’s trade and online abuse of children. We are also starting a Struggle and Legal Framework educational program together with the Lawyers’ Network for Children. This education program for last grade university students and attorneys in Children Justice System will continue for at least one year. Moreover, three last grade students from the Ankara University Social Services Department make their official internship in the network every period. Interns develop various projects with me under the supervision of Ankara University school internship counsel Prof. Dr. Sevda Uluğtekin.
What do you think about Sivil Düşün EU Programme?
What comes to your mind when you think of activism? Youth and streets.
Sivil Düşün EU Programme is more youth friendly compared to other funds. Sivil Düşün EU Programme respects the needs and
The Network Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (ÇTCS) benefited from the support of the Sivil Düşün Activist Programme for reporting and research to empower the corporate capacity and make a more efficient struggle. The main beneficiary of the activity was the Youth Group of the Network. Activities were organised to improve the capacity of the Struggle Network, to encourage decision makers to take decisions to make visible commercial and sexual exploitation of children, child pornography, early and forced marriages, children’s sex tourism and make necessary legal changes. The Network Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children National Coordinator Attorney Şahin Antakyalıoğlu answered our questions…
desires of the youth. It also provides supervision in implementation of the activity. It facilitates all management processes of the activity. It does not only position itself as the “funder” and works together in realisation of the dream.
You may know our slogan, “Everything began with a civil dream”. What is your civil dream?
What do you think about the current status and the future of rights-based activities and activism? Attention should be paid to ensure the subjects of the right are the main players of advocacy. We believe an effort should be put to strengthen the experience of 20 years, monitoring and reporting should be improved and international reporting should be given more attention. The youth and the children should not be subject to discrimination only because of their age, their opinions should
To realise policies for the children and the youth towards a world free
be respected and they should be included in the studies as actual
of violation of children’s rights.
stakeholders.
The Human Rights Association Diyarbakır Branch organised a human rights and democracy training with the idea that dynamic developments in the law are not sufficiently followed by citizens. Information materials about the current state of the rights were delivered to participants and they were asked if they know their rights and utilize them. Discussions were made about the legal procedure for violence, custody, organisation and the right of mass demonstration. The hand book titled “Do we know our rights? Do we use them? - “Tu bi mafên xwe dizanî? Bikar tînî” was delivered to civil society organisations and citizens.
human rights and democracy training for citizens İHD DİYARBAKIR BRANCH
# activism means We asked what “activism” means to you and shared your responses. The answers beginning with #ActivismMeans re-defined the meaning of activism at each turn. Civil society actors continue to make their own definitions. What do you think #Activism means?
Video
You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
Ayten Polat CİSST Fatih Fethi Aksoy Gülnur Türen Sevna Somuncuoğlu Yasemin Usta
@bisiklet_izm #ActivismMeans not being tired of defending the values you believe in.
#ActivismMeans It is an effort to find and realize new ways and methods for change and transformation.
@kalkinmayakatki #ActivismMeans to say “I am because we are-Ubuntu”.
#ActivismMeans lending an ear to the voice of the silent majority for a better future.
@SivilDusun
#ActivismMeans to keep the memory fresh and not let it be forgotten.
@25dernegi
#ActivismMeans being aware of our responsibilities as well as our rights and putting a struggle for it.
@minegencelbek #ActivismMeans solidarity against violation of rights.
#ActivismMeans believing in the organized power and following the truth for a lifetime.
@Raklet_TR
@Aegeantown #ActivismMeans taking opinions of people to be affected when setting a rule in any aspect of life.
@sevketuy
#ActivismMeans for Deniz Selin Şapka, activism is “to be the voice of the silent”.
@aytenerdmrpolat
#ActivismMeans undertaking responsibility for social change and organizing for it. #ActivismMeans to use technological capabilities for social interest.
@Aegeantown
@PdderVan
@mehmetakinn
@orgulsa
#ActivismMeans to know the individual and to let it live in the system individually.
@SulukuleGD
#ActivismMeans looking at the future with hope.
@Suslu_Kadinlar
#ActivismMeans wanting change with creative ideas and actions.
@bisiklet_izm
#ActivismMeans creating 24/7 awareness in your own field.
@LGBTTAileGrubu
@sibelbkersolmaz #ActivismMeans being a part of the change.
@genckahramanlar
#ActivismMeans to act to correct what is wrong instead of complaining about it.
@SivilDusun
#ActivismMeans According to Veysel Eşsiz from @hydturkiye activism is “having an everlasting hope”
#ActivismMeans your voice and struggle to live your dreams and the life you believe in.
@DaphneZeyno #ActivismMeans to take action. It means spreading what you think, what you see and what you understand.
@SivilDusun
#ActivismMeans For activist @endiniengin activism is “putting an effort for a beter future”
Sivil Düşün brings people together…
03 events
Sivil Düşün EU Programme continues to bring together activists and representatives of civil society organisations, networks, platforms, foundations, unions and civil initiatives across Turkey through its Advisory Committee Meetings, Info Days, consultative meetings and trainings since April 2014. Always asserting a participatory and inclusive approach, Sivil Düşün encourages participants to share their experience and know-how in meetings, sessions, working groups and workshops, letting participants be in charge. Sivil Düşün provides an effective platform in these thematic events and meetings where over one thousand participants, engaged in rights-based work, had the chance to learn from one another and were offered the chance to collaborate.
Video
Sivil Düşün 1st Advisory Committee Meeting Sivil Düşün 2nd Advisory Committee Meeting Sivil Düşün 6th Advisory Committee Meeting / #ThinkGreen You watch the video from youtube.com/sivildusunab
102
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS ANKARA
INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION MEETINGS KAYSERİ İSTANBUL ANKARA
TRABZON
TRABZON
BURSA EDİRNE
VAN İZMİR
DİYARBAKIR
ADANA 162
230
593
Participants
ŞANLIURFA
GAZİANTEP 27
480
20
Toplam Katılımcı Sayısı Participants
985
2014
2015
527
2013
2016
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
2015
2016
COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION MEETINGS
ANKARA
ANKARA
İZMİR ADANA 36
91
31
Participants
29
16
158
2014
2015 480
2013
2016 227
2014
Participants
45
2014 364
2015
2015 644
2016
Participants
1715
04 networks and platforms networks and platforms
109
Sivil DĂźĹ&#x;Ăźn made two calls for proposals in 2013 and 2014 under the Grant Scheme for Networks and Platforms, which supports projects undertaken by networks, umbrella organisations and platforms that bring together activists and organisations working towards a common goal or operating in different thematic areas. A total of nine projects were launched in 2014 with a total grant support of 2,750,000 Euros under the Support Programme. The nine projects included efforts such as strategic litigation, the creation of an international youth council in Turkey and the establishment of a prison information network. Let us look more closely at the nine projects, most of which are still ongoing.
691
# Events Organised
241
335.984
15.350
# People Directly Been Reached
# Event Participants
Diversity and Strategic Litigation Network
# Workshops Organised
Prisons Information Network of Turkey Rainbow Coalition Against Discrimination
12
4521
# Campaigns Managed
1260
788
# Workshop Participants
# News Made
# News Made in National/ International Media
Strengthening the Assembly for Women’s Shelters Solidarity Centres, Sharing Best Practices Among Women’s Organisations in Turkey and the European Union About Domestic Violence
12
207.518
132
# Reports/ Booklets
20
# Supported Networks
774
21
591
# People Reached by the Campaigns
# Permanent Members/ Nonmember Observers
# Children Reached
# Cases/ Trials Monitored/ Being Involved in
16
# Websites Created by Supported Networks
514
# Events Organised for Promoting Public - Civil Society Cooperation
# Child Members
306.431
# Visits of the Supported Websites
Civil Society Disaster Platform Press for Freedom
81
# Cities of Action
Strengthening Existing Child Rights Networks to Mobilise Them as the Voice of Children by Establishing Links Among International, National and Local Organisations
Your Right, Youth Right
Checks and Balances Network
rainbow coalition against discrimination
The Rainbow Coalition Against Discrimination project aims to draw attention to, raise awareness about and minimise the problems faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people who are subject to discrimination, hate speech, physical, psychological and economic violence in many areas of social life.
Pink Life LGBTT Solidarity Association, Kaos GL Association
Project Aim
Detailed Information
To enhance the capacity of LGBTI organisations and activists, To strengthen communication and cooperation among LGBTI organisations, To raise awareness about LGBTI rights through campaigns, To ensure the effective use of monitoring and reporting mechanisms by LGBTI individuals and organisations, To carry out advocacy and lobbying aiming to encourage the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the new civil constitution, To strengthen the transgender network in order to empower transgender individuals within the LGBTI movement as they constitute the most disadvantaged groups in the LGBTI community. http://www.gokkusagikoalisyonu.org/
Detailed Information
Your Right, Youth Right project aims to ensure that the National Youth Council Initiative (NYCI) is recognised as an advisory structure by policy and decisions makers and to situate the NYCI as an impact mechanism in policy making. Within the scope of the project, a pool of activists will be created and capacity building activities will be conducted through a rights-based approach to engage in local youth work and international lobbying. The project also focuses on youth policies, youth rights, advocacy for youth rights, advocacy and lobbying with various stakeholders working on the needs of children and youth organisations. The Youth Organisations Forum Association was founded within the framework of the project.
Project Aim
http://www.genchakli.org/tr
To ensure the prevalence of the National Youth Council Initiative (NYCI) at the local, regional and national scale and build new partnerships, To enhance the capacity of the NYCI in advocacy, lobbying, networking, the rights-based approach, youth policies, representation and on youth policies, To transform the NYCI into a representative structure for policy and decisions makers by increasing its visibility at the national and international levels, To bring together public agencies, political parties, the media, international organisations, professional organisations and unions under a joint platform, To develop a rightsbased strategy and recommendations about youth policies in Turkey and to present these to policy and decision makers, To evaluate youth policies in Turkey with reference to universal values and inform the public about such policies.
your right, youth right
Youth Services Centre Association (GSM), Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG).
Destailed Information
http://ayrimciligaugradim.org/anasayfa.php
Project Aim
The Diversity and Strategic Litigation Network aims to explore the ways in which CSOs and civil society activists can join efforts under a common action for cooperation against discrimination. The project aims to share skills and experiences about human rights protection mechanisms such as legal aid, strategic litigation and the monitoring of rights. As a parallel effort, the project envisages the development of skills of NGOs to access victims who are difficult to access.
To organise executive committee meetings with the participation of partner applicants, To share skills, experiences and strengths to engage in cooperation to strengthen the civil society and organise joint workshops, To focus on the most stigmatised groups such as women, HIV victims, mentally different individuals, ex-prisoners and LGBTI individuals to organise social media campaigns, activities and forums in an effort to challenge the status quo and polarised approaches, To engage in a Human Rights Strategic Litigation Process for cases concerning marginalised individuals and vulnerable groups, To develop legal aid mechanisms supporting access to justice and advocacy of human rights by individuals and groups most deprived of their rights, To monitor human rights violations and discriminatory acts at various political, regional and social levels through new target filters and sources of information.
diversity and strategic litigation network Kaos GL Association, Foundation for Society and Legal Studies
SabancÄą University Istanbul Policy Center, National Democratic Institute, Active Society Alternative Future Association
checks and
As a movement aiming to promote participatory and pluralistic democracy in Turkey, the Checks and Balances Network focused its efforts to raise social awareness about checks and balances through traditional and new media and to create the mechanisms and tools to transform this awareness into active citizenship. The members of the Checks and Balances Network aim to revive the democratisation process in Turkey and worked at the local and national levels to build the desired level of democracy. The network is comprised of 279 civil society organisations representing different world views, life styles and political affiliations.
balances network
A new Constitution in which sovereignty rests with the citizens, rights and the rule of law are protected and a clear separation of powers is safeguarded, Legal and institutional reforms strengthening the legislative and oversight capacity of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, ensuring the independence of the judiciary and the media, supporting democratic political party structures and a democratic election system and allowing for the development of a strong civil society, Mechanisms and a dialogue process enabling the development of a political and civil culture at the national and local levels based on the values and principles of participation, transparency, dialogue, reconciliation, mutual respect and plurality. Project Aim
Detailed Information
http://birarada.org/
Detailed Information
http://www.pressforfreedom.org/
Project Aim
The project Press for Freedom aimed to found a new platform for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, to build the capacity of media professionals and civil society affecting the decision making processes and hence to create a more dynamic civil society participating in public debates on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
To enhance the capacity of journalists and media professionals through training, e-learning, conferences and press meetings, To deliver basic journalism training to 250 people composed of journalists, CSO representatives, academics and university students, To raise awareness about freedom of the press and freedom of expression and to establish the Standing Committee on Press Ethics.
press for freedom
Journalists’ Association, Scientific Cultural and Strategic Studies Centre Association of Turkey
The Civil Society Disaster Platform was founded to contribute to the mitigation of disaster risk and damage and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response. The Platform aims to establish a better flow of information through a communication network supported by technology, to ensure better communication among stakeholders working in the field of disaster management, and to inform civil society organisations about international mechanisms and standards.
civil society disaster platform
Support to Life, Mavi Kalem Social Assistance & Charity Association, Mahalle Disaster Volunteers Foundation
The Platform’s target groups are civil society organisations, public agencies, universities, private sector organisations, the media and international CSOs which work or have the potential to work in the area of mitigating disaster risks and disaster response in Turkey. The network has 32 member organisations.
Project Aim
To develop practices of communication and information sharing among CSOs, To strengthen communication and cooperation between CSOs and relevant public institutions and local governments, in particular the Presidency for Disaster and Emergency Management, To build the institutional capacity of CSOs operating in the field of disaster, To strengthen information sharing among CSOs, public institutions and other stakeholders during emergencies and disasters. Detailed Information
http://sitap.org/
Detailed Information Project Aim
The project for Strengthening the Assembly for Women’s Shelters Solidarity Centres, Sharing best practices among women’s organisations in Turkey and the European Union about domestic violence and to increase the impact of support mechanisms.
www.siginaksizbirdunya.org To increase the capacity of the constituent organisations of the General Assembly of Women’s Shelters and Solidarity Centres, To strengthen communication among independent women’s organisations working on violence against women in Turkey and in the EU to enable the sharing of best practices, To facilitate the effective participation of independent women’s organisations in policy making processes regarding violence against women, To raise the awareness of social workers, representatives and decision makers in public agencies and local governments about violence against women and right practices, To strengthen communication between shelters and counselling centres to deliver long term, high quality and integrated support to women and children who are victims of domestic violence and to ensure the dissemination of this model.
strengthening the assembly for women’s shelters solidarity centres, sharing best practices among women’s organisations in turkey and the european union about domestic violence Purple Roof Women’s Shelter Foundation, Women’s Solidarity Foundation, Muş Women’s Association
prisons information network of turkey
Civil Society in the Penal System Association (CISST)
Prisons in Turkey are among places most susceptible to human rights violations and where such violations are frequently experienced. Despite this fact, there are only a few CSOs who work directly or indirectly on the subject of prisons. A large majority of these CSOs deal with political prisoners who are largely aware of their rights and who apply to these CSOs to exercise these rights. The Prisons Information Network of Turkey focuses on political prisoners and ordinary prisoners who constitute 90 per cent of the prison population and prisoners with special needs, also regarded as disadvantaged groups. The network aims to ensure the visibility of the problems of these groups, to gather CSOs in a network to compile information and increase their capacities and impact. In addition, the network aims to build a bridge between academic institutions and CSOs through a centre which is planned to be established, and to increase the activities of these organisations regarding prisons.
Partner Organisations
Disabled Women’s Association, Agenda: Child! Association, Women’s Solidarity Foundation (KADAV), Kaos GL Association, Mahsus Mahal, Foundation for the Disabled, Association for the Development of Social and Cultural Life (SKYGD), Association for Social Rights and Studies (TOHAD), Society and Legal Studies Foundation (TOHAV), Youth Re-autonomy Foundation of Turkey (TÇYÖV) Detailed Information
http://www.tcps.org.tr
The project for Strengthening Existing Child Rights Networks to Mobilise Them as the Voice of Children by Establishing Links Among International, National and Local Organisations aims to ensure that children in Turkey are free from violence. The project also aims to increase respect to the rights of the child with a focus on freedom of association and to contribute to ensuring that existing children’s rights networks serve as a common voice with and for children to ensure the implementation of principles and provisions on the rights of the child enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights conventions.
strengthening existing child rights networks to mobilise them as the voice of children by establishing links among international, national and local organisations
International Children’s Centre (ICC)
Project Aim
Partner organisations
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Child Rights International Network (CRIN), Missing Children Europe (MCE), Southeastern European Center for Missing & Exploited Children (SEEC), Social Workers Association (SHUDER), Turkish Psychological Counselling and Guidance Association (Türk PDR-DER), Association for Solidarity with Youth Deprived of Their Freedom (ÖZ-GE Der), Partnership Network to Prevent Violence Against Children (ÇKŞÖOA), Network for Combating Sexual Exploitation of Children (ÇTCS), Lawyers for Children Network (ÇAÇAv), No to Child Brides Platform, ‘Close Juvenile Prisons’ Initiative. Detailed Information
http://www.icc.org.tr
You can access the video links in this book by scanning the QR code above with your smart phone.
Sivil Düşün is a European Union programme. The content of the compendium is the sole responsibility of the Consortium led by ICE (International Consulting Expertise) and in no way be interpreted as the opinion of the European Union.