Women's State of Solidarity Association (Dakahder)

The Women's State of Solidarity Association is a Turkish organization that focuses on investigating and addressing gender inequality issues in society. Its mission is to empower women and improve their social, cultural, psychological, and socio-economic status. 

The association runs various projects such as the Women's News Network Project, which aims to promote local, independent, and women-friendly journalism. Another project is the Gender Academy, which provides training to combat gender inequality, gender-based violence, and patriarchy. 

The association also created a support system in ten cities in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions to combat sexual violence and harassment. People can support the association by volunteering or making donations. The Women's Carpet Association and DAKAHDER are inspirations to the association.

The Women's State of Solidarity Association is a Turkish non-governmental organization that was founded on May 22, 1991, in Diyarbakir, Turkey. The association was established with the aim of promoting gender equality and combating all forms of discrimination and violence based on gender, including sexual assault, harassment, and patriarchy.

The founding members of the association were a group of women from different professions, including lawyers, teachers, journalists, and activists, who were united in their goal to empower women and advance their rights in Turkish society. They recognized the need for a collective effort to address the persistent gender inequality and discrimination that women faced in all spheres of life.

Since its establishment, the Women's State of Solidarity Association has been actively involved in a wide range of initiatives and projects aimed at promoting gender equality, raising awareness about women's rights, and combating gender-based violence. These initiatives include the establishment of a Gender Academy, which provides training and education on gender equality and combating gender-based violence, and the Network Against Sexual Violence & Assault Project, which aims to empower people who have been in direct contact with those who have been exposed to sexual violence and harassment in various provinces in Turkey.

The association has also been active in advocating for legislative and policy changes that advance women's rights and protect them from violence and discrimination. In particular, the association has been at the forefront of efforts to reform Turkey's laws on sexual assault and harassment, and to increase the representation of women in political and public life.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including threats, intimidation, and harassment from various actors, including state authorities, the Women's State of Solidarity Association has remained committed to its mission of advancing women's rights and promoting gender equality in Turkey. Its work has been recognized both nationally and internationally, and it has received numerous awards and honors for its contributions to advancing women's rights.

Today, the Women's State of Solidarity Association continues to play a vital role in promoting gender equality, raising awareness about women's rights, and empowering women to take an active role in public and political life in Turkey. Its work remains crucial as gender inequality and violence against women continue to be major challenges in Turkish society.

The organization's goals are centred around the elimination of discrimination and restrictions based on gender, as well as supporting and empowering women who have experienced violence due to their gender or gender identity. The organization aims to build capacity among its members, generate policies on gender equality, conduct research, and develop suggestions for institutions and organizations to become more woman-friendly. The organization also aims to combat hate speech against LGBTIs and promote policies for LGBTI-friendly spaces.

The organization's mission is to advocate for gender equality in Southeast and East Anatolia, support those who are working towards it, and produce policies to further this goal. Its vision is to fight all forms of discrimination and violence based on gender inequality and work towards establishing a democratic society that upholds human rights, social justice, and peace. Overall, the organization aims to raise public awareness and support individuals and organizations working towards gender equality.

The Women's State of Solidarity Association has had a significant impact on promoting gender equality and fighting against gender-based discrimination and violence in Turkey. Since its establishment in 1992, the association has been actively involved in various projects and campaigns to support women's rights and empowerment, especially in the Southeast and Eastern Anatolia regions of Turkey where women face more challenges and restrictions.

One of the most notable impacts of the association is its contribution to raising public awareness about gender issues and promoting gender equality. Through various activities such as seminars, workshops, and training programs, the association has been able to educate and empower women and men to become more aware of gender-based discrimination and violence and to promote more egalitarian attitudes and behaviors towards gender.

The association has also been actively involved in advocating for legal and policy reforms to promote gender equality and combat gender-based violence. For example, the association has advocated for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, which is an international treaty that aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. The association has also advocated for the inclusion of more women in decision-making processes at all levels of government and society.

Furthermore, the association has played a critical role in providing support and assistance to women who have been victims of gender-based violence and discrimination. Through various projects and campaigns, the association has provided legal, economic, and social support to women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual harassment, and other forms of gender-based violence.

Overall, the Women's State of Solidarity Association has had a significant impact on promoting gender equality and empowering women in Turkey. Its efforts have contributed to raising public awareness about gender issues, advocating for legal and policy reforms, and providing support to women who have experienced gender-based violence and discrimination.