İKADDER was awarded a grant under the T.R. Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Civil Society "Project Assistance for Civil Society Organizations" Programme with the "Turkey's Leading Women Project."

The aim of the project is to bring together pioneering women in the NGO field from different cities of Turkey in an environment of mutual communication, consultation, and cooperation in order to:

• Support their capacity to develop new partnerships in solving regional problems,
• Create a platform where they can benefit from experiences and practices,
• Make a lasting contribution to social peace across the country,
• Highlight the richness of inter-regional differences,
• Develop their potential to act together on common national issues,
• Support the institutional capacity of the civil society organizations they represent.

The methodology of the project has been determined as follows:

• Bringing together women's NGOs with different backgrounds and potentials,
• Giving women's NGOs the opportunity to step outside their own field of work and geographical area,
• Contributing by examining on-site the working methods of women's NGOs, the value they add to society, their proposed solutions to social problems, and regional characteristics,
• Documenting the work through reports and a final book, and conducting promotion and visibility activities through effective use of social media,
• Contributing to changing the cooperation models — which are generally east-west, northwest, southwest — and building inter-organizational networks between different regions,
• Developing permanent communication techniques among participants to ensure the sustainability of the work.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Bringing together at least 15 women NGO leaders from Turkey's 7 geographical regions in an environment of mutual communication, consultation, and cooperation
• Contributing to the development of civil society culture in our country
• Building platforms for the transfer of good practices
• Contributing to the social peace process
• Developing the reflex of women's NGOs to act together and swiftly
• Documenting the work carried out

MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD IN TURKEY'S 7 REGIONS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT.

At each of these meetings, workshops were held addressing regional problems, good practices, the women's NGO culture of the region, and initiatives targeting different audiences. Representatives of women's NGOs operating in the region, academics, and other community leaders participated in these workshops.

AEGEAN REGION / İZMİR MEETING

The Aegean Region Meeting was held in İzmir on March 10–11, 2018. The event was hosted by the İmam Hatipliler Youth and Sports Club Association, with Hamide Nur Merdar serving as moderator. A presentation titled "Women, Family Issues, and Civil Society Activities in the Aegean Region" was delivered by Nesim Tanglay, Provincial Director of the T.R. Ministry of Family and Social Policies in İzmir. The second session of the workshop focused on "Evaluation of Activities and Identification of Common Working Areas for Civil Society Organizations." On the second day of the program, a trip to Çeşme-Alaçatı was organized.

SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION / MARDİN

The Southeastern Anatolia Region Meeting was held in Mardin on March 24–25, 2018. The event was hosted by the Birlik Foundation Mardin Branch, with Esengül Aydın Sancar as moderator. The program opened with a presentation by Şeyhmus Dinçer titled "The Formula and Beauty of Coexistence in Mardin Through a Faith-Based Lens." Ahmet Akgül, Vice President of the Birlik Foundation Mardin Branch, delivered a presentation on "The Role of Women in Conflict Resolution and Achieving Social Peace." NGO representatives and academics from Mardin shared their views and suggestions during the discussion sessions. On the second day, visits were made to the Ancient City of Dara, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, Kasımiye and Zinciriye Madrasas, Mardin Bazaar, and historical sites.

CENTRAL ANATOLIA REGION / KARAMAN

The Central Anatolia Region Meeting was held in Karaman on April 7–8, 2018. The event was hosted by Kardelen Education and Solidarity Association, with Burhanettin Saygılı as moderator. The program opened with a presentation by Assoc. Prof. İdris Nebi Uysal titled "Karaman: Its History, Culture, and Language." Social Services Expert Hasan Sivrikaya from the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Policies, and Mustafa Dökmen, Preacher at the Karaman Provincial Mufti's Family Guidance Office, shared their work on strengthening the family institution through visual presentations. On the second day, a cultural heritage tour was organized in Karaman, known as the Capital of the Turkish Language.

BLACK SEA REGION / SAMSUN

The Black Sea Region Meeting was held in Samsun on April 14–15, 2018. The event was hosted by Dost Education, Culture, and Social Solidarity Association, with Halise Mutlu as moderator. The program opened with a presentation on "The Position, Situation, Problems, and Proposed Solutions Regarding Women in the Context of Family in Samsun." On the second day, a city tour of Samsun was organized.

MEDITERRANEAN REGION / ISPARTA

The Mediterranean Region Meeting was held in Isparta on July 17–18, 2018. The event was hosted by Elele Social Solidarity and Aid Association, with Dr. Canan Aydın as moderator. The following topics were discussed and evaluated:

• Crime Rates of Violence Against Women
• Women's and Children's Rights
• Parent-Child Relationships
• Addiction in Isparta
• Women's Issues in Isparta

On the second day, a visit to Lavender Village was organized.

EASTERN ANATOLIA REGION / ERZİNCAN

The Eastern Anatolia Region Meeting was held in Erzincan on September 22–23, 2018. The event was hosted by Erzincan Development, Education, Culture, and Tourism Association and Erzincan City Council, with Mine Yorulmaz as moderator. The program opened with a presentation by Erzincan Provincial Director Aziz Gün on "Women and Education." The following topics were discussed:

Problems Concerning Women and the Family, and Proposed Solutions

• Women and Education
• Business Opportunities for Women
• Employment Areas Offered to Women by the Municipality
• Women's Issues in Public Institutions
• Women Employers in Erzincan
• Women's Issues in Business Life
• Women's Issues in the Media

On the second day, visits were made to Girlevik Waterfall, Ergan Mountain, Ekşisu, and Vineyards.

CLOSING MEETING

The Closing Meeting was held in Istanbul on October 13–14, 2018, hosted by Istanbul Women and Women's Organizations Association (İKADDER). Following the opening remarks, the program began with a presentation of the "Turkey's Leading Women Project Activities and Outcomes." The program continued with presentations by regional participants. In the second session, Dr. Hasan Hüseyin Taylan presented on "Family Structure and Issues in Turkey," and Ayşe Pehlivan presented on "Guidance of Experience in NGO Family Work." On the second day, a Bosphorus tour was organized.