Women-Friendly Cities: Nevşehir Municipality
The 3rd phase of the Women-Friendly Cities Programme, involving 25 provincial municipalities from all 7 regions of Türkiye, is moving forward at full speed. As part of this three-year programme, implemented with the financial support of the European Union, in partnership with United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Türkiye, and the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, provincial municipalities and local civil society organizations operating in these provinces continue their efforts to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality in all areas, in line with local needs and dynamics. Nevşehir Municipality is one of them.
NEVŞEHİR, Türkiye - Under the coordination of the Directorate for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the financial support of the European Union, in partnership with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, and implemented by United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Türkiye, the third phase of the Women-Friendly Cities Programme continues with the participation of 25 municipalities from 7 regions of Türkiye. Nevşehir Municipality is one of those municipalities.
Nevşehir Municipality has been involved in the Women-Friendly Cities Programme since its first phase launched in 2006, in order to support women’s visibility and leadership in every field, enhance their vocational skills to increase their participation in the workforce, and ensure gender equality in the city. Deputy Mayor of Nevşehir, İbrahim Yüzer, explains why the municipality wished to participate in Phase 3 and outlines their goals with these words: "By taking part in the third phase, we are striving to further increase and advance our efforts so that women and children become a priority and secure a greater place in society."
Having established its Gender Equality Unit first in this phase, the Municipality implements multifaceted projects focused on women’s empowerment. In this context, legal and psychosocial support is provided to women through the Women's Counseling Center, while supporting women socially and economically is prioritized.
A factory staffed exclusively by women
At the forefront of economic activities carried out to increase female employment is the guest amenities factory in Nevşehir, which consists entirely of female employees. Only women work at the factory, which produces supplies widely used in numerous hotels in Nevşehir—a major tourism city—such as soap, slippers, shampoo, and hair conditioner. Through a production model based entirely on a female workforce, a significant contribution is made to both the local economy and female employment.
Memduha, a worker at the factory, says that after receiving training, there is no job a woman cannot do and no machine she cannot operate, explaining that women at the factory take an active role in every stage of production. Tülay, who works at the same factory, shares: "Until I came here, I had no profession, but I learned how to sew slippers here and got a job. I have been here since 2019. I balance my children, my husband, and my job beautifully."
From vocational courses to women's businesses
The Municipality also supports women’s economic and social development through vocational courses, aiming to help them acquire both hobbies and professional skills. Fatma Turgut, a Cultural Heritage Carrier and Workshop Instructor in one of those courses, describes the solidarity and goals in the workshop with these words: "Here, by coming together with women of all age groups, we both keep our traditional handicrafts that are on the verge of being forgotten alive and bring them into our homes, while also building friendships. Our friends also get the opportunity to earn their own income and contribute to their family budgets by turning this art into a profession."
How these trainings turn into a success story is illustrated by Nalan, a 56-year-old entrepreneur. Having turned her tailoring skill, which she carried out at home for many years, into a professional business by participating in the Municipality's trainings, Nalan says: "The training I received was very beneficial to me. After the training, I opened my own business. I believe women can be very skilled in every sector. If the necessary support is provided, there is nothing a woman cannot achieve."
Women's strength in sports and arts
Carrying out efforts to ensure that women take center stage not only in economic and social spheres but also in art and sports, the Municipality achieves international success with its women's water polo team. Having competed in the Super League last year, the Nevşehir Municipality Women's Water Polo Team represents Türkiye in Europe this year.
Deputy Mayor of Nevşehir, İbrahim Yüzer, summarizes their ultimate goal with the project in these words: “We envision a city where women lead, guide society, demonstrate leadership qualities in every effort, and where young girls come to the forefront even more.”
Implemented by UNFPA Türkiye under the coordination of the Directorate for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the financial support of the European Union and in partnership with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, the Women-Friendly Cities Programme will run until the end of 2027 and aims to ensure that change in women’s empowerment and gender equality starts at the local level. Within this framework, the programme seeks to scale up effective and sustainable good practices across Türkiye through the cooperation of 25 provincial municipalities and more than 200 civil society organizations operating in these provinces.
