The Children and Women First Association
Müjde TOZBEY (President )
VOLKAN BERBER (Vice President )
HANDE GUNDOGDU (Board Member)
NILDA BALTALI (Board Member)
EZGI SAGCAN (Board Member)
H. KUBRA TURAN (Secretary General )
Summary
The Children and Women First Association (ÇYDD) is a non-governmental organization based in Turkey that focuses on promoting the social, economic, and cultural development of women and children. Established in 1987, ÇYDD has been at the forefront of various projects and initiatives aimed at empowering women and children. The association's primary goal is to help improve the quality of life for women and children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
One of the main activities of ÇYDD is to provide educational opportunities for girls. The organization offers scholarships and grants to help support girls' education, with the aim of increasing their access to quality education. ÇYDD recognizes the importance of education in empowering women and girls and helping them achieve their full potential. By providing financial support for girls' education, ÇYDD is helping to break down the barriers that prevent many girls from pursuing their dreams and achieving their goals.
ÇYDD is also actively involved in promoting women's rights and gender equality. The organization has organized various campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of gender-based violence and discrimination. ÇYDD also offers counseling and legal support to women who are victims of abuse and violence, providing them with the necessary resources to overcome the challenges they face. Through its advocacy work, ÇYDD is working to create a society where women and girls are treated with dignity and respect and can fully participate in all aspects of social and economic life.
History
The Children and Women First Association (ÇYDD) is a non-governmental organization in Turkey that has been promoting the social, economic, and cultural development of women and children since its founding in 1987. Over the years, ÇYDD has achieved several milestones in its mission to empower women and children in Turkey.
One of the association's earliest achievements was to provide educational opportunities for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. By offering scholarships and financial assistance, ÇYDD helped to break down the barriers that prevented many girls from pursuing their education. This initiative allowed girls to access quality education, which was essential in empowering them to become independent and contributing members of society.
ÇYDD also played a key role in advocating for the passage of laws that protect women from domestic violence and discrimination in the workplace. Through its advocacy work, the association helped to raise awareness of gender-based violence and discrimination, and worked to change laws and policies that affect women and children in Turkey.
In addition, ÇYDD has been involved in various international projects and collaborations aimed at promoting gender equality and children's rights. For instance, the association worked with the United Nations Development Programme to support education and development initiatives in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia.
Another significant milestone for ÇYDD was its collaboration with the European Union in developing a project to empower Syrian refugee women in Turkey. The project focused on providing education, vocational training, and social support to help refugee women gain the skills and knowledge necessary to support themselves and their families.
Goals and Purpose
To promote the social, economic, and cultural development of women and children in Turkey: This goal aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society where women and children have equal access to opportunities and can participate fully in all aspects of social and economic life.
To increase access to education for girls, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, by providing scholarships and financial assistance: This goal addresses the issue of gender inequality in education by breaking down the financial barriers that prevent many girls from pursuing their education. By providing scholarships and financial assistance, ÇYDD is helping to ensure that all girls have access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background.
To provide counseling and legal support for women who are victims of abuse and violence: This goal aims to support women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of gender-based violence. By providing counseling and legal support, ÇYDD is helping to empower women and give them the tools they need to break free from abusive situations.
To raise awareness of gender-based violence and discrimination and advocate for the passage of laws that protect women and children: This goal aims to bring attention to the issue of gender-based violence and discrimination and advocate for policies and laws that protect the rights of women and children. Through its advocacy work, ÇYDD is helping to change the cultural norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination.
To promote gender equality and empower women and girls by providing education and other opportunities: This goal aims to empower women and girls by providing them with education and other opportunities that will help them to become independent and contributing members of society. By promoting gender equality, ÇYDD is helping to break down the barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
To support international projects and collaborations aimed at promoting gender equality and children's rights: This goal aims to extend ÇYDD's mission beyond Turkey and support global efforts to promote gender equality and children's rights. Through its international collaborations, ÇYDD is helping to share best practices and work towards common goals.
To help refugees and internally displaced persons, especially women and children, access education and basic services: This goal aims to support vulnerable populations, such as refugees and internally displaced persons, by helping them to access education and basic services. By focusing on the needs of women and children, ÇYDD is helping to ensure that these populations are not left behind.
To provide vocational training and social support to help women gain the skills and knowledge necessary to support themselves and their families: This goal aims to empower women by providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to support themselves and their families. By providing vocational training and social support, ÇYDD is helping to break down the economic barriers that prevent many women from achieving financial independence.
To work towards the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, and social exclusion, particularly among women and children: This goal aims to address the root causes of gender inequality by working towards the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, and social exclusion. By addressing these issues, ÇYDD is helping to create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Impact
Empowering women: The organization offers vocational training programs to women in various fields, such as sewing, handicrafts, and cooking. For example, they have a program called "Sewing Workshop for Women," which provides training on sewing techniques and business skills to women who want to start their own businesses. The organization also provides education and training programs on topics such as entrepreneurship, financial management, and computer skills.
Protecting children: The organization has several programs focused on protecting children from abuse and neglect. For example, they have a program called "Protection of Child Rights" that provides counseling and support to children who have been victims of abuse or neglect, as well as training and support to families and caregivers to prevent such incidents from occurring. They also have a program called "Stop Child Marriage" that raises awareness about the negative impact of child marriage and advocates for policies and programs to prevent it.
Providing healthcare services: The organization operates mobile health clinics that provide medical care to women and children in rural areas. For example, their "Mobile Health Services for Women" program provides services such as gynecological exams, breast cancer screenings, and family planning counseling. The organization also partners with local health organizations to provide additional medical services and support.
Educating communities: The organization runs awareness-raising campaigns and educational programs on various issues related to women and children's rights. For example, they have a program called "Gender Equality in Education" that works to eliminate gender-based discrimination in schools and promote equal access to education for girls. They also have a program called "Awareness of Violence Against Women" that raises awareness about gender-based violence and provides support to survivors.
Providing emergency support: The organization provides emergency relief to families affected by natural disasters or other crises. For example, they have a program called "Emergency Assistance" that provides food, shelter, and other basic needs to families affected by earthquakes, floods, and other disasters. They also have a program called "Support for Refugee Women and Children" that provides assistance to Syrian refugee women and children in Turkey, including food, shelter, and healthcare services.
References
Müjde TOZBEY (President )
VOLKAN BERBER (Vice President )
HANDE GUNDOGDU (Board Member)
NILDA BALTALI (Board Member)
EZGI SAGCAN (Board Member)
H. KUBRA TURAN (Secretary General )