KARS Women’s NGOs
UNJP Local Facilitator Sibel Alp Argunhan talked to representatives from women’s NGOs in Kars:
 We believe that the project implemented within the framework of the UNJP is very valuable for the NGOs. It is very important in terms of identifying problems in the local level, proposing possible solutions, and bringing together NGOs and local governments from six cities for a common cause. It is also important for raising awareness among political parties and local governments on the participation of women in politics and setting a quota for women in political parties. We would like to express our appreciation for everyone involved in the Programme. (KAMER, Women’s Center)
The Joint Programme developed the cooperation between the central and local governments, and the NGOs for the first time. The Local Equality Action Plans are helping us to work towards participation in local decision making mechanisms, increase in the quality of urban life, violence against women, economic and professional empowerment, employment, education and health services, migration, poverty and raising awareness. The essay contest on “Women-friendly city” helped in raising awareness. The UNJP continues its operations successfully. (Belgin Kesemen, KAGİDER, Women Entrepreneurs Association, Kars Branch)
 We truly appreciate the fact that our city is one of the selected cities for the UNJP. We were included into the Programme at the later stages, as our association is a newly established association. The UNJP provided us the chance to be able to work in coordination with other women’s NGOs in our city. Soon after the establishment of our association, we cooperated with other women’s NGOs and organized a kermess. The Joint Programme is also very valuable in terms of finding funds for the present and future projects. (Kars Cultural Promotion and Women Entrepreneurs Association)
Joint Programme was very valuable in assisting the women’s NGOs in our province to interact with one another, and learn about each other’s projects. The local governments are now more aware of the women’s NGOs. The human rights for women and girls also became a more visible issue on the executive level. (Turkish Women Union, Kars Branch).
We, Local Agenda 21 Kars City Council Women’s Assembly, are very happy that the UN Joint Programme is being implemented in our city as well. The Programme helped us to move further in areas we have been working on for a long time, such as women’s equal participation in decision making mechanisms and raising awareness among local governments on women’s issues. The Programme also helped women’s NGOs and organizations to work in coordination. (Local Agenda 21 Kars City Council Women’s Assembly)
|
