Municipalities and Civil Society Hand in Hand for Equal and Safe Cities

The 3rd phase of the Women-Friendly Cities Programme, which aims to create safe and inclusive living spaces where the rights and needs of everyone living in the city, especially women and girls, are taken into account and where everyone can access all services equally, has started with the participation of 25 municipalities. In order for local administrations to conduct needs analysis, planning, programming, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation based on equality between women and men in every field, and to ensure the active participation of women in all these processes, 25 municipalities will cooperate with more than 100 civil society organizations within the scope of the 3-year program.

ANKARA, Türkiye – It is very important for municipalities to work together with civil society organizations at the local level in order to analyze needs, address them, and achieve transformative change. Coordinated by the Directorate for EU Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, financially supported by the European Union, implemented by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Türkiye, and in partnership with the Union of Municipalities Türkiye, the Women-Friendly Cities Programme Phase 3 has started its activities in cities with the participation of 25 municipalities and more than 100 civil society organizations to ensure that everyone, women and girls in particular, can access rights and services equally.

In the first two phases of the program, conducted between 2006–2010 and 2011–2015, Local Equality Mechanisms were established in 6 and then 12 municipalities, aiming to increase women’s access to services and rights and to promote equality between women and men through units, commissions, and coordination structures. Through these mechanisms, Local Equality Action Plans, in which municipalities set concrete goals and activities considering women’s needs, were prepared and implemented. In both phases, public institutions and civil society organizations were supported at the local level on equality between women and men, and cooperation among them was strengthened.

The 3rd phase of the Women-Friendly Cities Programme sets a broader participation and institutionalization goal on this foundation. Phase 3 of the program is designed with the following main objectives:

• Sustainable establishment and strengthening of Local Equality Mechanisms in partner municipalities

• Strengthening civil society organizations and ensuring and increasing their active participation in inclusive local policies focused on equality between women and men

• Development of regular, constructive, and multi-stakeholder cooperation between municipalities and civil society organizations

• Promotion of an egalitarian, participatory, and inclusive approach to local governance

Within the scope of the program, multidimensional efforts are envisaged to expand women-friendly services. Counseling centers and shelters supporting the fight against violence against women and women’s health, as well as daycare and care services to increase women’s participation in the workforce, will be prioritized. Steps such as safe transportation, lighting, and accessible urban spaces will enable women to move more freely in the city. Women’s entrepreneurship and leadership will be promoted. Further, conferences and panels on equality between women and men will be organized to raise awareness of society. Civil society organizations will also actively contribute to the process with their expertise and local connections.

It is aimed that the equality strengthened at the local level will also contribute to equality between women and men in society and across the country.