News
MEDIA ADVISORY ON UN HIGH LEVEL VISIT TO GAZIANTEP
“UN Women acting Deputy Regional Director of Europe and Central Asia Mr. Michele Ribotta, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Mr. Heinz Koller, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Mr. Maurizio Bussi, ILO Director for Turkey Mr. Numan Özcan, The Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM) Deputy General Coordinator Mr. Kadir Beyaztaş visiting Gaziantep to strengthen on going partnership between UN Women, International Labour Organization (ILO) and ASAM for empowering women and girls from refugee and host communities.
26 April 2018
Under the leadership of UN Women in close collaboration with the ILO, ASAM and Gaziantep Municipality, “Gaziantep Women Only Center: Providing Livelihood Support” project addressing Syrian Refugees and Host Communities is being implemented since last year. Within the scope of this project the “SADA Women’s Development and Solidarity Center” was established in November 2017 to support Syrian women and girls and other refugee women in the area, together with women from the host community.
During the implementation of the project many support services were provided to women.
In that regards, Cooperation Agreements are signed between the UN Women, ILO and ASAM.
While acknowledging the successful piloting of women-only centre in Gaziantep, Michele Ribotta, acting Deputy Regional Director for UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia highlighted the need for continued investment in engendering refugee response, and reiterated UN Women’s commitment to strengthen on-going partnerships with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, ILO and ASAM for enhancing opportunities for Syrian refugee women and host communities for economic recovery, livelihood and protection, and building resilience. “Our collective efforts are geared towards ensuring that Syrian women and girls and host communities in Turkey benefit equally from Refugee Response interventions and contribute in promoting social cohesion and peaceful co-existence”, he said.
During the signature ceremony, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Mr. Heinz Koller stated: “This initiative sets an example since it is carried out by two UN agencies and national NGO, all master in their respective fields. UN Women Office in Turkey has been implementing projects since 2012 to promote gender equality and empower women. For more than 20 years (long before the crises in Syria), ASAM has dedicated to create solutions for refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey. ILO sets international labour standards, promotes rights at work and encourages decent employment opportunities. With this project, UN Women, ILO, ASAM and the important local partner Gaziantep Municipality combining their expertise and serving to the vulnerable women in Gaziantep”.
Kadir Beyaztas, Deputy General Coordinator of Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (SGDD-ASAM) emphasized the importance of the continuation of the women's center project with the following words. "During the 7th year of the Syrian crisis, work on strengthening vulnerable groups like this project has increased its importance. It is an exemplary project because the SADA Women Development and Solidarity Center, which aims to empower women and girls from both the refugee and the host community, combines the creation of livelihood resources, protection and social cohesion activities. We are also honoured to be the next step in the project under the leadership of the UNWomen, which conducts systematic work on women empowerment, International Labor Organization's cooperation and cooperation with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, one of the most sensitive municipalities in the field of migration and refugees. "
With this project which will continue till 2020, we as UN Women, ILO, ASAM and Gaziantep Municipality will continue to support the refugees’ and host communities’ economic and social empowerment and development.
Date: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Time: 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Venue: SADA Women Development and Solidarity Center
26 April 2018
Under the leadership of UN Women in close collaboration with the ILO, ASAM and Gaziantep Municipality, “Gaziantep Women Only Center: Providing Livelihood Support” project addressing Syrian Refugees and Host Communities is being implemented since last year. Within the scope of this project the “SADA Women’s Development and Solidarity Center” was established in November 2017 to support Syrian women and girls and other refugee women in the area, together with women from the host community.
During the implementation of the project many support services were provided to women.
- 36 courses were conducted.
- 767 women have graduated from Turkish courses and vocational trainings such as computer operating, patient administration, packaging, hairdressing and skin care.
- 420 women attended to the awareness raising seminars on work permit, gender equality in work life, active labour market programmes, social security rights and occupational safety and health.
- 360 children of the women trainees have benefited from kinder garden service.
In that regards, Cooperation Agreements are signed between the UN Women, ILO and ASAM.
While acknowledging the successful piloting of women-only centre in Gaziantep, Michele Ribotta, acting Deputy Regional Director for UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia highlighted the need for continued investment in engendering refugee response, and reiterated UN Women’s commitment to strengthen on-going partnerships with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, ILO and ASAM for enhancing opportunities for Syrian refugee women and host communities for economic recovery, livelihood and protection, and building resilience. “Our collective efforts are geared towards ensuring that Syrian women and girls and host communities in Turkey benefit equally from Refugee Response interventions and contribute in promoting social cohesion and peaceful co-existence”, he said.
During the signature ceremony, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Mr. Heinz Koller stated: “This initiative sets an example since it is carried out by two UN agencies and national NGO, all master in their respective fields. UN Women Office in Turkey has been implementing projects since 2012 to promote gender equality and empower women. For more than 20 years (long before the crises in Syria), ASAM has dedicated to create solutions for refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey. ILO sets international labour standards, promotes rights at work and encourages decent employment opportunities. With this project, UN Women, ILO, ASAM and the important local partner Gaziantep Municipality combining their expertise and serving to the vulnerable women in Gaziantep”.
Kadir Beyaztas, Deputy General Coordinator of Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (SGDD-ASAM) emphasized the importance of the continuation of the women's center project with the following words. "During the 7th year of the Syrian crisis, work on strengthening vulnerable groups like this project has increased its importance. It is an exemplary project because the SADA Women Development and Solidarity Center, which aims to empower women and girls from both the refugee and the host community, combines the creation of livelihood resources, protection and social cohesion activities. We are also honoured to be the next step in the project under the leadership of the UNWomen, which conducts systematic work on women empowerment, International Labor Organization's cooperation and cooperation with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, one of the most sensitive municipalities in the field of migration and refugees. "
With this project which will continue till 2020, we as UN Women, ILO, ASAM and Gaziantep Municipality will continue to support the refugees’ and host communities’ economic and social empowerment and development.
Date: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Time: 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Venue: SADA Women Development and Solidarity Center