Implementation Place(s): 26 Provinces in Turkey

Commissioned by: European Commission

Project Duration: 27.01.2014 - 31.12.2016

Project Value: 6,601,000 EUR

Background

Domestic violence against women continues to present a particularly serious social problem in Turkey. The various statistical data on this topic show a reluctance to report domestic violence, which is in part a consequence of social and cultural norms that continue to influence women's rights and equality in the domestic sphere, especially because until late 2012 these forms of violence were not sanctioned in any way.

In order to be most effective, the response to domestic violence against women should be integrated, wide-ranging and inter-institutional, at the same time offering both support and protection to victims, and seeking to alter attitudes and mentalities that allow the violence to occur. In terms of protection and support services, one of the most important elements of this general response lies in the provision fully operating women's shelters and services. A women's shelter provides safe accommodation in which women who have been subjected to domestic violence and their children can live without fear of being abused. The guiding principle of working with abused women is a strong commitment to advocate women's rights and empowerment of women to live an independent and dignified life.

Objective

The overall objective of the project was to contribute to the Turkish Government's efforts for the protection of womes's rights in Turkey. More specifically, it aimed at ensuring that women are provided with sufficient protection against violence 26 provinces. At the end of the project, it was expected to achieve; Increased protection against violence in 26 provinces through establishing and/or providing support services for women subjected to violence/domestic violence. Enhanced collaboration of central and local governing bodies and local NGOs for improved mechanisms to combat violence against women 26 provinces.

Project Activities

Component I: 

Increased protection against violence in 26 provinces through establishing and/or providing support services for women subjected to violence/domestic violence as follows;

• Developing Provincial Actions Plans for each province following the Situation Analysis and Training Needs Assessments on the current situation related to gender-based violence in 26 project provinces,
• Supporting establishment of women's counselling centres and effective use of hotlines in the project provinces,
• Improving quality of the preventive/protective services through training of the service providers and establishing a supervision mechanism,
• Giving support to establishing and/or strengthening the city coordination and monitoring mechanisms regarding combatting violence against women,
• Contributing to establishing and strengthening of shelters, pre-shelters, VPMCs and post-shelter support mechanisms,
• Developing a communication strategy,
• Organising Study tours to EU member states and other provinces in Turkey.

Component II: 

Enhanced collaboration of central and local governing bodies and local NGOs for improved mechanisms to combat violence against women in 26 provinces as follows;

• Organize Expert Committee meetings to develop a draft supervisory mechanism model for municipalities and other local administrations and local NGOs,
• Establishing and administrative support and supervision mechanism at national level for all local authorities and local women NGOs,
• Creation of networks between local and international NGOs,
• Conducting regional meetings to introduce the national level support mechanisms to the municipalities,
• Technical assistance and support to the implementation of a grant scheme aiming at developing capacities of local NGOs and provision of services for victims of VAW by local NGOs.