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İSVEÇ ULUSLARARASI KALKINMA İŞBİRLİĞİ AJANSI TARAFINDAN DESTEKLENMİŞTİR.
INNOVATIONS FOR
WOMEN’S
EMPOWERMENT
IN THE GAP REGION
PROJECT
İSVEÇ ULUSLARARASI KALKINMA İŞBİRLİĞİ AJANSI
TARAFINDAN DESTEKLENMİŞTİR.
 Proje Yürütme Merkezi: GAP İdaresi Başkanlığı, Willy Brandt Sokak. No:5,
 Proje Bölge Ofisi:
06680, Çankaya, Ankara
GAP BKİ Bölge Müdürlüğü, P.K. 155 Şanlıurfa Tünel
Ağzı 63000, Şanlıurfa
ACTIVITY REPORT
(January - March 2010)
2010
SUPPORTED BY SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
COOPERATION AGENCY
Project Execution Centre: GAP Regional Development Administration, Akbayır Mah. 104. Cad. No: 115/2, Karaköprü, Şanlıurfa
GAP Regional Development Administration Liaison Office, Mesnevi Sok. No: 27, 06690 Çankaya, Ankara
Project Regional Office: GAP RDA Regional Directorate, P.K. 155 Urfa Tünel Ağzı 63000, Şanlıurfa
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 3
OVERALL FRAMEWORK................................................................................................ 5
INNOVATIONS FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN THE GAP REGION.............. 5
I. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 1 ................................................................... 6
II. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 2 ................................................................... 7
2.1.
Strengthening of Existing Ateliers and Establishing New Ones.............. 7
2.1.1
Raw Material Support............................................................................... 8
2.1.2.
Atelier Work ............................................................................................. 8
III. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 3 ..................................................................... 8
3.1.
Sales and Marketing ................................................................................. 9
3.1.1.
Direct Marketing ....................................................................................... 9
3.1.2.
Café and Restaurant Sales ....................................................................... 9
3.1.3.
Argande Sales ........................................................................................ 10
3.2.
Training Activities ................................................................................... 10
3.2.1.
Gender and Reproductive Health Trainings ............................................. 10
IV. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 4 .................................................................. 12
4.1.
9 Fashion Designers for 9 Provinces ........................................................ 12
V. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 5 ................................................................... 14
5.1.
Project Oversight ....................................................................................... 14
VI. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 15
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INTRODUCTION:
POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN LABOUR
FORCE
According to Eurostat
data in 2009, Turkey is
the fifth country which
has the highest
unemployment rate in
the world.
While poverty, human development and the dynamics of
poverty are continuously debated by the international
development actors for years, there are also fairly new
concepts such as feminization of poverty, which emphasize
the higher likelihood of women to be affected by poverty.
Employment is an important indicator if not one of the direct
drivers on development of women in social and economic life.
Participating in labour force and merging paid work are some
of the crucial results in terms of women. First of all, women’s
employment plays a key role in reaching economic
independence and decision-making process in households.
Furthermore, it is important in terms of sustainable economic
growth and balanced social development, its effect on
combating poverty can not be disregarded (Ecevit, Yıldız;
Booklet on Gender Equality in Labour Force Market).
The statistics also show that women are more vulnerable to
risks and crises. For instance, women are affected from the
impacts of the financial crises more than men do. According to
TUIK statistics (2009), rate of women’s participation in labour
force decreased to 26.1 per cent whereas this rate was 26.9
per cent in 2008 (TUIK, 2009). In October 2009, the
unemployment rate of women in the working population aged
over 15 is 14 per cent (12.7 per cent for men) and the
unemployment rate of young women is 30.7 per cent ( 24.4
per cent for men - Ecevit, Yıldız; Gender Equality Booklet in
Labour Force Market).
The fact that women do not have equal chances for
employment has brought about women’s concentration in
some sectors. Agriculture is one of the prior sectors, however
women stay there as unpaid family workers. On the other
hand, low level of payments, lack of social security, difficulties
faced during employment and ease of discharging can be
counted as some obstacles against women.
Women give up searching for job and prefer to stay home due
to the fact that the labor market is not enabling for them, due
to the traditional domestic roles they have to undertake and
discriminatory treatments both in the labor market and the
society. According to 2006 usage of time statistics by TUIK,
women living in Turkey spend approx. 5 hours and 17 minutes
for domestic work and child care per day while the duration is
just 51 minutes for men. While working men spare 6 hours
and 8 minutes for economic activities per day, women can
only spend 4 hours and 19 minutes. To ensure a healthy and
balanced economic development, reduction of care
responsibilities, improving institutional care services, creating
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new working sectors and carrying out studies to support
employment and qualified labour force are must.
The activities implemented during January-March 2010 within
the scope of the ‘Innovations for Women’s Empowerment in
Southeast Anatolia’ Project supported by Sida, which have
contributed to the efforts for developing women’s social and
economic situations, will be summarized in this report.
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OVERALL FRAMEWORK
Through the Project, it
is intended to support
women’s labor market
participation, branding
of the Southeast
Anatolia and
developing new sales
and marketing
opportunities.
The Project “Innovations for Women’s Empowerment: A
Workable Model for Women in Turkey’s Southeast Anatolia
Region” (to be hereinafter referred to as the “Innovations for
Women’s Empowerment in the GAP Region”) with
cooperation
between
GAP
Regional
Development
Administration (GAP RDA), United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (Sida) became effective upon signing by
GAP RDA, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP
on 25 March 2008.
This project aims at women’s empowerment in Southeast
Anatolia in social and economic life through innovative
production-marketing related strategies. Through the Project,
it is intended to support women’s labor market participation,
branding of the Southeast Anatolia and developing new sales
and marketing opportunities.
The Project is being implemented in the 9 provinces that
comprise the GAP Region, with financial support provided by
Sida.
INNOVATIONS FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
IN THE GAP REGION
The project aims to empower women in the region socially
and economically. The implementation strategy is premised
on women’s empowerment and institutional capacity
development targeting women’s own capacity to associate
and network for income generation purposes. The financial
support will be in the form of supply of small machinery and
material for women-managed ateliers to produce goods for
national and local markets. The technical assistance will focus
on design elements that will add to the marketability of the
goods and will aim to provide market connections. On the
other hand, the assistance will also be given to strenghten
institutional structures and to develop institutional capacities.
The project aims at establishing market connections for
products manufactured by women of the region and providing
women with training programmes in many areas such as
marketing, institutionalization, product design, gender and
reproductive health. In the region, work is being done with
Multi-Purpose Community Centers (ÇATOMs) and other
nongovernmental organizations active in issues of concern to
women (MOKİD, Batman Association for the Social
Development of Women, Mardin Women’s Multi-Purpose
Enterprise Cooperative, Besni Active Women’s Mutual
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Assistance, Solidarity and Enterprise Cooperative, Gaziantep
Woman University Graduates Cooperative etc.)
In order to monitor the production process, provide the
necessary technical support and coordination, and develop the
regional, national and international marketing network, the
Project Manager locates in the project office in Şanlıurfa, while
the Project Assistant works both in the GAP RDA liaison office
and UNDP office in Ankara, in order to provide coordination
between partners, and assist administrational and financial
processes.
The steps taken in the implementation of the project include
establishing professional production facilities especially
through strengthening the existing ateliers and opening new
ones. Production facilities are being strengthened with design
support for the manufacturing of professional products to be
put on the markets through strong marketing and sale
networks. The project provides continuous training and support
for institutionalization and technical improvement.
I- ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 1
OUTPUT 1
Local authorities and
commercial actors will
have greater capacity
and knowledge to
design local
employment programs
that favor women’s
participation in the
labor force.
The aim is for the local authorities and commercial actors to
have greater capacity and knowledge to design local
employment programs that favor women’s participation in the
labor force.
In this context, within the cooperation established with the
Diyarbakır Governorate, feasibility work had been done to set
up a small scale textile factory and enable women to benefit
from the vocational training courses of the Turkish
Employment Agency with the aim of increasing women’s
participation in the labor force and reducing poverty.
Due to lack of location or sustainability measures for better
implementation in place, it was decided to carry out a model
study with the collaboration of Diyarbakır Governorate on early
childhood development and on the kindergarten students in
one of the slum areas where the urban poor population mostly
lives. In this context, a field work was carried out by two
academicians from Hacettepe University in March 2010. The
recommendations of this study are presented as below;
 As a result of the studies and interviews made with
families, three (3) preschool classes for the participants’
children can be established within CATOM Center
provided that the building’s heating system problems
are solved. On the other hand, these classes should be
equipped with necessary materials and a healthy floor
covering for children. Apart from this, there is a need for
an appropriate toilet (WC) where children use.
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 If it is considered that the CATOM participants are
mothers of the children, experienced trainers in their own
fields are a crucial element for the classes to be built. On
the other hand, the classes should not consist of over
twenty (20) children due to lack of physical capacity. One
of the classes can be organized as mixed age classroom
and other two (2) classes can be built especially for
children aged under six (6) within the scope of the
Project. However, different classes can be built for
children aged between 3 and 6 in line with the region’s
needs.
 Preschool classes to be established in CATOM Center
can be organized as “ Quarter Houses” or “Game
Rooms”, will be used in specific hours.
 One of the rooms of the CATOM Center can be
established as “Development Follow-Up Center” to have
an important function for the region. Recruiting two
experts on child development is important to serve
parents & children and to determine their needs. It was
suggested that the teachers who graduated from
Preschool Education Head of Department should be
recruited in the pre-school, however experts on child
development and training can also be employed if
needed. These experts will be a necessity if the needs of
the families living in the region are considered.
OUTPUT 2
II- ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 2
Women’s production
capacity will be
advanced through
increased market links.
Throughout the reporting period, the project continued to
provide support in strengthening market networks and access to
market channels as well as strengthening the institutional
structure of the workshops.
2.1. Strenghtening of
Establishing New Ones
Atelier Works on
various subjects were
carried out in many
provinces.
Existing
Ateliers
and
Initially, it is important, on the one hand, to strengthen existing
production
ateliers
connected
with
non-governmental
organizations in the region and, on the other, to establish and
extend new production facilities. The aim is to turn existing
ateliers into units that are managed in a more professional
manner.
In this context, raw material support to the amount of 1210
TL (USD 806) was given during the period of January - March
2010.
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2.1.1 Raw Material Support
Aiming at overcoming raw material difficulties faced during
production process and supporting vocational trainings, raw
material support was given by the Project to women where
necessary. The studies on finding solutions to reduce raw
material difficulties are being started to be carried out by the
project team.
Urfa:
Raw material support to the amount of TL 80 (USD 53) was
given for the design atelier organized on March 31, 2010. Large
numbers of shawls, bags, kitchen aprons and beach clothes
were produced. It was observed that the participants were eager
to attend the atelier work.
The products are expected to be sold at the bazaar to be built in
Taksim of Istanbul in May 2010.
Batman:
Fabric support to the amount of TL 1130 (USD 753) was given
for “Argande” Brand produced in Batman. The fabric was used to
produce Argande Spring / Summer 2010 collection, is now on
sale.
2.1.2 Atelier Work
Under Output 2, workshops are being conducted on a frequent
basis in order to strengthen existing ateliers through providing
technical support on design and production. In this context,
following workshop has been realized during the period of
January-March 2010.
Şanlıurfa:
OUTPUT 3
Strengthened
women to enter in
the labor market
and integrated them
in the social lives of
their communities
through training
programs.
Parmaksız ÇATOM Shawl and Bag Atelier
Shawls with needlework, needle knitting bags, kitchen aprons
and patterns were produced during the two-day atelier work on
March 31 and April 1, 2010. On the other hand, accessory
production has been started. A total of 12 women participated to
the atelier.
III- ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 3
Through training programs, the capacities of targeted beneficiary
women are being strengthened to enter in the labor market and
be integrated in the social lives of their communities.
3.1.
Sales and Marketing
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The existence of sales channels for high value-added products
manufactured in ateliers is one of the most important elements
to ensure the sustainability of the project. For this reason, sales
and marketing have a very significant place and will play a very
important role in the project. The sales process begins after the
storage and distribution logistic capabilities are arranged for the
product network.
3.1.1 Direct Marketing:
3.1.1.1
Sales are increasing
while the women
are gaining
experience in
marketing.
Mardin Painting Atelier Sales:
Mardin painting atelier, under Mardin Central ÇATOM, was
provided with technical (training,counseling) and marketing (
building network for sales) support by the Project. The atelier
realized a total of TL 4.075 (USD2.716) sales during January –
March period, as TL 1.482 (USD988) sales in January 2010, TL
748 ( USD 498) in February 2010 and TL 1.845 (USD 1.230) in
March 2010.
3.1.1.2
Dargeçit Needlework Atelier Sales:
As a result of needlework atelier work by a famous designer in
Dargeçit ÇATOM, modern designed lags were applied on
scarves in different way. A total of 200 scarves were
produced.The revenue generated from the first quarter of 2010
sales was TL 2.300 ( USD 1.533) and this income was shared
by 12 women.
New sale networks for this atelier are being tried to be built by
the project team.
3.1.1.3
Dargeçit Knitting Atelier Sales:
The revenue generated from the first quarter of 2010 sales was
TL 2.173 ( USD 1.448)at the atelier. 5 women benefited from
the sales.
3.1.1.4
Mardin Latifiye Soap Atelier Sales:
During January – March 2010, Bıttım Soap Atelier established
under Mardin Latifiye ÇATOM produced 183.5 kg soap for the
value of TL 2.834 ( USD 1.889). 5 women benefited from the
sales.
The project team is trying to build network channels for this
atelier.
3.1.2 Cafe and Restaurant Sales:
3.1.2.1
Besni Dough and Bakery Products Atelier
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During the period of January – March 2010 total sales was TL
4.500 ( USD 3.000).
The sales of Cafe
Airport can be differ.
3.1.2.2
Mardin Kişniş
Restaurant has been
active with the
support of the Project
and its sales have
reached high levels in
a short period of
time.
3.1.2.3
Batman Café Airport
Airport Café, which received support of this Project, realized
sales numbers of TL 3.205 in January, TL 2.422 in February and
TL 3.695 in March and a total of TL 9.322 ( USD 6.214 ) was
realized during this period. 2 women work at the Café and 8
women benefited from the sales.
Mardin Kişniş Restaurant
Mardin Kisnis Restaurant realized sales numbers of TL 800 (
USD 533 ) in January, TL 700 ( USD 466) in February and TL
1.220
( USD 813 ) in March and a total of TL 2.720 ( USD
1.813) was realized during this period. This income was shared
by 10 women in January, 7 women in February and 8 women in
March.
3.1.2.4
Siirt Yağmur Catering Company
Established by the former Project, Yagmur Catering Company
was provided with institutional support for establishing Yagmur
Ltd Sti and it has been active since July 2009.
The firm carried out a project with ISKUR which based on
employment as of February 2010 and it is expected to reach TL
15.000 sales for 3 months. 5 women are currently working for the
firm and benefited from the sales.
3.1.3 ArgandeSales:
Created under “9 Designers for 9
Provinces” sub –Project and under
supervision of one of the famous
designers, production of Argande Brand
was
prepared
by
the
ateliers
established in Batman and Omerli of
Mardin and was offered for sale at the
biggest 17 Mudo shops in 7 provinces.
During January-March 2010 period, sales realized TL 15.938
(USD 10.625) in January, TL 3.045 (USD 2.030) in February –
due to beginning of spring / summer season and TL 7.202
(
USD 4.801 ) in March, a total of TL 26.185 ( USD 17.456 ) were
realized.
3.2
Trainings
Strengthened skills and increased knowledge are important
elements to achieve human development and empowerment. For
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The Project aims at
helping women to
reach satisfactory
economic levels
through vocational
trainings.
this reason, training and education activities form an integral part
of the project and its goals. Trainings within the scope of the
project are provided on sales and marketing, communication,
gender equality, design, human and woman’s rights,
cooperatives and management. The project helps to build an
integrated capacity by combining production-related technical
skills training with awareness-raising training on subjects
concerning woman’s rights.
3.2.1 Gender and Reproductive Health Trainings
One-day seminars were organized in Gaziantep province on
March 12, 2010 in order to strengthen women’s participation in
social life. A total of 26 people from CATOMs and state
institutions participated in the seminars and a total of 275 people
attended all seminars organized in nine (9) GAP Provinces.
Trainings are
important
components for
increasing knowledge
and realizing human
development…
These trainings has
reached the goals.
Adult – training – principles and participative training methods
were utilized and the trainings were carried out as planned. The
work was organized with “participatory” method and key
messages and theoretical subjects were developed interactively
with the participants depending on the participant’s own
situations / realities. Issues on women’s rights and gender were
discussed at the meeting and the terms “be together” and
“women and men side by side” were emphasized while the
traditional “men opposition” approach was avoided. Women’s
suggestion on participating in the seminars with their
husbands/men also verifies that the training served its purpose.
Although subjects like rights and gender can be perceived as too
abstract, the trainings presented concrete situations in
participant’s life. Handling “reproductive health” issues within the
scope of “rights” were much attractive in terms of participant
interest. Participants in Gaziantep were much interested in
“rights” issues compared to participants in other provinces,
however they also focused on reproductive health issues. On the
other hand, the participants were adaptable for time and they
were eager to get training. .
With the last seminar in Gaziantep, the seminars on gender and
reproductive health were completed in all of nine (9) GAP
provinces. The subsequent study will be on finalizing the
document which includes outputs of workshops on “Gender
Roles” (presented at the Kilis meeting). Thanks to the study
One extract from the evaluations, demonstrating the impact of
such trainings, is presented below:
I was the daughter of my father,
I was the wife of my husband, I was the mother of my
children, I want to be myself after today…!
Gülten İncioğlu
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Under the light of the seminars, previous studies and
experiences, suggestions can be summarized as follows;
Seminars must be continuous in order to raise awareness.
Additionally, meetings on trainings can be organized in order to
provide positive attitudes, skills and behaviours.
Same training program can be carried out for men provided that
the necessary changes are made for target group.
The seminars on “Communication” and “Society” can be
organized.
Additionaly, it is believed that preparation of “SWOT analysis”,
which was presented at CATOM Coordination Meeting, can be
reflected this study.
IV – ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT 4
The aim is the creation of new fashion and embroidery designs
for each of the nine provinces by nine well-known fashion
designers in Turkey and the establishment of market
connections.
4.1 9 Fashion Designers for 9 Provinces ARGANDE
Under this component, Turkey’s most recognized fashion
designers in close cooperation with women in the region
prepared products to be sold in big stores. In addition, by
making the cultural heritage visible, the Project helps the
perception of the region to grow in a more positive way based
on local cultural treasures, diversity and women’s productivity.
The project also has a branding externality, based on the above
mentioned points, with emphasis on strong regional features
such as the regional people and human diversity and the efforts
of women to integrate their cultural and moral values into global
knowledge and commercial markets. The products coming out
of women’s atelier are now being marketed with a visibility
program that combines the creativity of Southeast women with
fashion designers and their activities in Istanbul and other
places in Turkey. The activities carried out during JanuaryMarch 2010 can be summarized as follows;
Argande’s first fashion show was put on within the fashion week
jointly organized by İTKİB, MTD and BMD.
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All choreography, art directorate, the choise of music and
lighting was supported by famous names. Besides the 21
models agreed to participate in the show free of charge and
they starred in the show.
The 2011 Winter Collection’s catalogue shoots were done on
16 January 2010 in the old Sümerbank Building. The building
owner became a sponsor due to the Project.
The fashion show took place on 4 February 2011 at 18:00 hrs
in Hall A.
The 2011 Fall / Winter collection was prepared with the addition
of new designers. The designers of the Winter collection were
as follows: Alex Akimoğlu, Hatice Gökçe, Hakan Yıldırım,Özgür
Masur, Rojin Aslı Polat, Simay Bülbül,Gamze Saraçoğlu,
Mehtap Elaidi, Berna Canok, Rana Canok, Ezra Tuba Çetin,
Zeynep Tosun, Günseli Türkay, Aida Pekin. The selection of
models was made at the Istanbul Art Academy in one full day.
Likewise the model’s outfit rehearsal was made at the Istanbul
Arct Academy in one full day.
The footwear sponsor of the show was a footwear company. .
A total of 22 pairs of shoes and boots were purchased for the
show. All the necessary information for the preparation of
catalogues to be handed out in the show were forwarded to one
of the PR company. . Furthermore gift packages were made for
the show. The DVD including information on Argande and
Bıttım Soap was included and distributed to the guests.
The Argande booth was prepared where Argande’s collections
were exhibited during the Istanbul Fashion Week event. The
booth arrangement was made by Mudo.
The 2010 Spring / Summer collection was manufactured and
delivered to Mudo.
Moreover a meeting was held with the make up and hair design
team and company which was essential forthe show and
catalogue shoot.
The catalogues for 2010 Spring / Summer and 2011 Fall /
Winter collections have been published.
The 2011 Fall / Winter collection has been sent to Mudo to
receive their quotation and order.
The ÇATOM Stories book has been published for distribution to
the guests and an exhibition booth has been set up for the
hand craft exhibition jointly organized by Women Status
General Center and GAP administration in accordance with 8
March World Women’s Day.
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In Sum, all establishments and individuals have been supporting
Argande Brand voluntarily, with the sense of social
responsibility. Demir Design volunteered to contribute creating
Argande brand and prepare printed and visual materials.
Production of the collection was made by ateliers established in
Batman ÇATOM and Mardin Ömerli ÇATOM and Istanbul
Textile and Apparel Exporter Associations (ITKIB) provided
training support. Aras Courrier is also giving logistic support to
the Project. Volunteer professionals supervised on brand
styling, artistic work and photography during catalog shoots 21
models, volunteered for the fashion show.
V – ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER OUTPUT V
5.1 Project Monitoring
The Project Steering Committee meeting was held on 28
January 2010 with the participation of GAP Region
Development Administration, United Nations Development
Programme, Swedish Embassy, State Planning Organization,
General Directorate of Social Services and Child Protection and
General Directorate of Women’s Status. The meeting started
with a general update on the project progress and in the
discussions session, cooperation between institutions was
emphasized. Furthermore, some reviews and suggestions from
the meeting include the below aspects;
The impact evaluation of the project is very critical and how this
will be conducted should be decided. In this sense a
comparative analysis concerning the 2008 and 2009 data and
the interpretation of the change in these indicators are
necessary. Especially the increase in women’s income and the
determination of the increase in workshop capacities will be the
most critical indicators with regard to the impact assessment.
The pairing of reproductive health trainings and public gender
concept is a success for the Project.
ISKUR is an important organization in the region and its support
is critical. Cooperation with every organization is important to
ensure success.
Very little information is available in the region regarding microcredit supports and knowledge concerning this issue should be
shared with the beneficiary women to ensure that they benefit
from these services.
The impact evaluation study is highly important. An impact
evaluation study to be made within the mid term of the Project
will be beneficial in evaluating the development impact of the
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Project and the documentation of learned lessons. The
forward social and economic impact studies should be
undertaken in 2011.
Hiring of an expert to determine the demand for the products
in the market and the sales potential of the products should be
one of the priorities.
Sustainability is very important and women should be
channeled to work life and workshops should become
businesses. This issue is also addressed both through
institutional trainings and support provided within the project,
as well as the feasibility studies conducted at the product level.
VI. CONCLUSION
There has been an obvious downfall in women’s employment
in the last 30 years in Turkey, although some of this can be
attributed to the shift in the labor structure, with the migration
movements from rural areas to urban settings. According to
TUIK data, the number of employed women was 4 million
within the number of unemployed people in 1988 however the
number decreased to 2.7 million in 2007. During this period,
structure of agricultural activities, terror, migration to
metropoles or city centers from rural areas are some core
reasons. Especially, women living in the GAP region face the
difficulties more and are in need of more assistance.
The Project comprises of important elements meeting
women’s needs to involve in social and economic life. In this
project context, by taking important steps within output 1,
output 2, output 3 and output 4, concrete developments can be
seen in women’s lives.
Tangible results can be seen as follows;
OUTPUT 1: Local authorities and commercial actors will
have greater capacity and knowledge to design local
employment programs that favor women’s participation in
the labor force.
 A report on the model study on early childhood
development and kindergarten students was produced
and shared with local authorities and commercial actors
in order to serve capacity building and to increase
knowledge and awareness on the issue.
OUTPUT 2: Women’s production capacity will be
advanced through increased market links and OUTPUT 3:
The targeted beneficiary women will have strengthened
capacity to enter labor markets and the social lives of
their communities.
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 Raw material support a total of TL 1210 ( USD 806 )
was given and 12 women participated atelier works.
 Total TL 11.382 ( USD 7.588 ) was achieved as sales
income through direct marketing.
 Supported ateliers had sales revenues during January –
March 2010 as: Besni Dough Atelier TL 4.500 ( USD
3.000 ), Mardin Kişniş Restaurant TL 2.720 ( USD 1.813
), Batman Airport Cafe TL 9.322 ( USD 6.214 ).
 Seminars on gender and reproductive health were given
in Gaziantep. A total of 26 women participated in the
seminars. Moreover, a report on the seminar was
prepared by the trainer.
 A total of TL 26.185 ( USD 17.456 ) sales revenue
achieved through Argande Brand.
OUTPUT 4: The commercial image of the region will be
improved strongly towards women’s productivity through
the innovative subproject “Nine Fashion Designers for
Nine Provinces”.
 2010 Spring/ Summer Creation was finalized with 11
designers.
The Project has innovative and modeling characteristics both
for the region and Turkey in terms of achieving concrete
results, providing women employment and entrepreneurship.
Sustainability has one of the priorities for institutional
development, marketing, brand and production support that the
project offers.
In line with the sustainability plan, the project is continuing to
provide design support, training support for quality assurance,
as well as marketing support to find sales channels to sell the
products. Supported ateliers are located in various provinces
and these ateliers are mainly run by the CATOM focal points,
and cooperative partners as relevant, in close consultation with
and guidance of the project manager. The training and sales
activities are being closely monitored by the project
management to ensure quality and equitable access to all
target women. Studies on promotion of Argande Brand, on fair
trade and on possibilities and opportunities of exporting
products is being carried out and concrete steps is being tried
to be achieved.
On the other hand, trainings on gender, reproductive health,
design and quality control is being given by experts and need
analyses on women’s care responsibilities are being made to
diminish the problem.
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“Innovations of Women’s Empowerment” in the GAP Region”
Project has an approach that enables the participation of
women in both social and economic life. This approach
reflects institutional and individual capacity-building which is
a prerequisite not only for economic amplification but social
amplification.
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