A CASE STUDY: VOICES FROM THE DORMS OF ANATOLIA

By Beyza Zapsu Chairperson

Genç Hayat Foundation

What if there were child brides around you ?

What if there were young women who could not attend to the schools because of their gender?

What if there were families, who are counting only their sons as children when you ask, not their daughters?

Our vision is to accomplish a social transformation, where democracy and human rights are entrenched,

synergy can be created from differences, and a culture of respect

and communication prevails.

The mission of the Young Lives Foundation is to develop various

programs and activities that aim to encourage awareness and

consciousness.

AS YOUNG LIVES FOUNDATION, WE ARE IMPLEMENTING VOICES FROM THE

DORMS OF ANOTOLIA PROJECT

YOUTH IN TURKEYAround 6 million young people between 15-19 years old.

While 72 % of the male students do attend the secondary

school, only 66 % of females continue.

VOICES FROM THE DORMS OF ANATOLIA PROJECT

REASONING OF THE PROJECT

Need of extracurricular activities and social trainings in terms of the girls’ social and psychlogical development

Designed to change the social gender inequality based on education and social participation.

THE AIM OF THE PROJECT

To create a model that will meet the social developmental needs young women in which they participate.

To empower the young women in the social and economical life and therefore to effect the social gender inequality in a positive

way.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT

Developed: by Genç Hayat Foundation in partnership with Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation Supported: by Sabancı FoundationDuration: April 2011-April 2012Location: Girls’ high school dormitories in Konya and Nevşehir.Participations: 311 volunteer young women and 14 volunteer teachers.Project Team: A project coordinator, two local coordinators, two trainers, 3 specialists for developing educational contents and and one measurement evaluation specialist

The age range of the target group is 14-17 years.Some of these young women come from seperated families.Some of them are being forced to marry as soon as or even before they graduate.They work in agricultural or service sectors in summer.

THE PROFILE OF THE YOUNG WOMEN STAYING IN THE DORMS

These young women cannot go outside the dorm building after the hours of 17:00-18:00, called as “others” in the vicinity of the dorms and are deprived of the opportunities that social life shall contribute to their personal development.

THE PROFILE OF THE YOUNG WOMEN STAYING IN THE DORMS

THE METHODOLOGY OF THE PROJECT

Training is given on gender issues, basic communication skills and social responsibility.

As role models, local business women come together with the young women and perform social activities.

ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT

The Municipalities, City Directorates of National Education and Governors Offices are the main bodies that have to support

the projectNext step the Ministry of National Education

THE OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT

Created New Model

Created Awareness

Provided Data ForThe Field

I know that life is hard, but there is also another thing I know: Succeeding is in my power…

I know that life is hard, but there is also another thing I know: Succeeding is in my power…

This project made us think, laugh, be informed, question, and it increased our confidence.

This project made us think, laugh, be informed, question, and it increased our confidence.

I am proud of myself for being a woman. I feel powerful and happy.

I am proud of myself for being a woman. I feel powerful and happy.

When the project was introduced to us, they told us they would get us together with successful woman having professions. I did not believe this, but they really did what they said.

When the project was introduced to us, they told us they would get us together with successful woman having professions. I did not believe this, but they really did what they said.

I saw a female preacher for the first time. I thought that if she had succeeded in becoming a female deputy mufti in our country, then she could succeed in anything.

I saw a female preacher for the first time. I thought that if she had succeeded in becoming a female deputy mufti in our country, then she could succeed in anything.

Thank You Very Much For Listening…