Together for equality: UN Women revives the spirit of Beijing by uniting civil society under the theme 'We are Many and One'

On the occasion of marking the completion of the first phase of the “Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality” project, UN Women Türkiye organized the “Civil Society Gathering” to unite civil society under the theme ‘We Are Many and One.’ The message is clear: solidarity with civil society remains essential for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment/

On September 23rd, UN Women Türkiye hosted the “Civil Society Gathering: We Are Many and One” in Ankara, gathering civil society organizations, women’s groups, and international partners. Organized under the “Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality” project, funded by the European Union, the event marked the end of the project’s first phase, which began in April 2021.

Participants from across the country came together to highlight the importance of solidarity and partnerships with civil society. The second phase of the project will begin on October 1, 2024, and will continue for three more years, further advancing efforts towards gender equality.

The event’s theme was inspired by feminist Sue Vinson’s words, “We Are Many and One,” a phrase that resonated at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by 189 governments. The Declaration, which remains the most visionary roadmap for empowering women and girls, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025.

“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we must revisit our commitments and act to drive progress. UN Women is proud to stand in solidarity with Türkiye’s dynamic women’s movement and remain committed to advancing the gender equality agenda in partnership with civil society. We are the generation that wants to see gender equality in our lifetime,” said Asya Varbanova, UN Women Türkiye Country Director. 

“Civil society is the backbone of democracy. They empower citizens to engage in political processes and are essential for sustainable development. The EU is proud to support civil society in Türkiye. Advancing women’s rights and gender equality remains a top priority for the EU, both within its borders and with partner countries like Türkiye,” says Jean Barbe, Head of Operational Section Civil Society, Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, and Home Affairs of Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye. 

The event hosted various sessions and workshops focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

A session titled “Every Penny Matters: Financing for Equality and Women’s Empowerment” focused on the financial investments needed for civil society and women’s organizations. Ayşe Tek from the Family Health and Planning Foundation of Türkiye, Huriye Goncuoğlu Bodur from the Women in Fisheries Society, and Ayşe Yorgancıoğlu from the SES Equality and Solidarity Association underlined how consistent funding can expand the reach and impact of gender equality efforts of civil society. In the session, moderated by Irmak İnan Çınar from UN Women Türkiye, they discussed the essential role that financial resources play in ensuring women’s voices are amplified, particularly in rural areas where access to such support is often limited. 

Another session, “This order cannot last without women: Women in rural areas and in agricultural Production” explored how climate change, biodiversity crises, and disasters disproportionately affect rural women. Speakers including Şerife Tuna from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ecem Asma from Anadolu Meraları (Anatolian Grasslands), and Gülbanu Altunok Dertli from UN Women Türkiye, emphasized the importance of strengthening women’s resilience to climate change through sustainable agricultural practices. 

The conversation, moderated by Ebru Ağduk, Programme Manager at UN Women, touched on the findings from UN Women’s recent publication, “Women in Rural Türkiye: Navigating Barriers in Access to Resources, Services, and Decision-Making”. The session highlighted that despite playing a vital role in both household and agricultural labor, rural women face challenges in accessing paid and secure employment, inheritance rights, and childcare services.

A panel titled “An Intergenerational Dialogue on the Path Since 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 30th Anniversary” focused on the evolving challenges for women and girls since the 1995 Beijing Conference. Zeliha Ünaldı, UN Women Turkiye Deputy Country Director, and Gaye Tuğrulöz from the Social Climate Association, reflected on the persistent inequalities women face globally, compounded by newer challenges like the climate crisis and the rise of digital discrimination. They stressed the need for data-driven advocacy and policies to ensure that no one is left behind, reiterating the importance of safeguarding the gains made over the past 30 years while addressing emerging forms of inequality.

The event also featured creative workshops such as creative drama, embroidery and photography, emphasizing the importance of collective memory and the diverse contributions of women in all aspects of life.