Blooming resilience: Women lead the way for greener neighborhoods

A group of women in Gaziantep, a southeastern city of Türkiye known for its rich history and vibrant culture, are learning to make their neighborhoods greener and more resilient to the impacts of the climate crisis at the Green Jobs and Entrepreneurship Center for Women. The establishment of the center marks a significant collaboration between Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, UN Women and the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work (KEDV). The initiative aims to support women’s economic empowerment, enhance knowledge on climate change impacts and foster women-led community engagement for sustainable and resilient neighborhoods. 

In a recent step towards empowering women in Gaziantep, the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work (KEDV), a partner civil society organization of UN Women, has opened,  the Green Jobs and Entrepreneurship Center for Women.

Located in Düztepe Çamlık Park, the center offers a variety of eco-friendly activities and learning opportunities for women which ranges from planting, pruning, rainwater harvesting to composting. These activities not only equip women with valuable skills which they can translate into employment opportunities but also promote sustainable practices that can be implemented in their neighborhoods. Additionally, women trained at the center will disseminate this knowledge at the community level, increasing awareness among service and policy providers about the needs and challenges of their neighborhoods.

“The Green Jobs and Entrepreneurship Center for Women will apply what they learn in their neighborhoods, leading efforts to make their communities more resilient. The center also serves as an advocacy hub, providing information on combating the climate crisis,” says Tuğba Topal Geçgin, the Project Coordinator for KEDV.

This center is a key component of the “Women-led Green Neighborhood Initiative” project, launched in Gaziantep by KEDV with support from UN Women. The project’s primary goal is to empower women by  increasing their awareness and knowledge on the ecological and urban challenges posed by climate change. Through educational programs on “Combating Climate Change and Its Effects,” the project has reached over 500 women and raised their awareness to foster women-led community involvement. The project aims to help women identify issues in their neighborhoods, support action plan development and monitoring, and build sustainable partnerships with public and private actors. 

“We learned how to be more beneficial to our neighborhood and create a greener environment. We learned landscaping, park and garden maintenance, and gardening. We learned how to manage our waste and prevent wastefulness in the fight against climate change. We share what we’ve learned with our relatives and neighbors. We are working to create a livable neighborhood for our children and grandchildren,” says Nesrin Özdemir, a participant who completed the center’s 204-hour certified training program.

“We learned fertilization, soil care, plant cultivation, and grafting. We gained resilience here. Inside the house, we were confined within four walls. Here, we are in a different environment. At home, we withered, but when we touched the soil, we blossomed,” says Özgül Yedipınar, a participant at the center.

The Green Jobs and Entrepreneurship Center for Women is part of the Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality project, implemented by UN Women with the financial support of the European Union. 

“Women and girls are more affected by disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and the adverse effects of climate change. After disasters, women face numerous challenges, including finding employment, securing livelihoods, and caring for children, the elderly, and the sick. Therefore, it is crucial for women, families, and communities to be aware and prepared for disaster risks and its outcomes. The Green Neighborhood Initiative Led by Women project, launched with KEDV and the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, aims to strengthen neighborhoods through women’s leadership. This project aims to encourage women to take ownership of their neighborhoods, share their experiences and knowledge with their neighbors, lead, and strengthen their communities together,” says Ebru Ağduk, the Program Manager at UN Women.

Since 2019, the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work, in collaboration with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, has been running the Resilient Neighborhoods Program. This initiative develops models to enhance community resilience against the multifaceted impacts of disasters and crises. KEDV plans to offer certification programs related to park and garden maintenance as part of the center’s initiatives. Additionally, to boost women’s employment, KEDV aims to organize sector meetings with local landscaping companies.