Seminar Series on Strengthening the Resilience of Syrian Women and Girls

Seminars were organised with the participation of beneficiaries who completed the on basic life skills and vocational training courses in the SADA Women Development and Solidarity Centre under the “Strengthening the Resilience of Syrian Women and Girls” being implemented in Gaziantep jointly by UNWomen, SGDD and ILO. The seminars were held on 03-13 September 2018 in the GESOB Events Hall and attended by 204 beneficiaries of Syrian, Afghan and Turkish nationality who completed the courses Turkish A1 and A2, Computer Operating, Basic Makeup, Hair-dressing, Packaging and the members of the Tomorrow's Women Committee. Aiming to facilitate and promote the entry of women beneficiaries of the project into labour markets, the seminars treated six topics namely Gender Equality at Work, Work Permits, Social Security Rights, ISKUR Active Labour Market Programmes, Occupational Safety and Health, and Role Models with participation from the specialised institutions and organisations.

Gender Equality at Work

The seminar on 03-04 September 2018 with the participation of psychologist Ms. Zehra Tosun dealt with the gender-based problems experienced by women at work, with real life examples of participants. The seminar also addressed the necessity to send girls to schools and the psychological and sociological problems caused by child marriage; and did work on how to emphasise prominent features as applicants in the job interviews.

Work Permits

At the seminar on 05 September 2018 with the participation of Mr. Fatih Volkan Yamaner, an Assistant Labour Expert from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services, participants were informed on the legal procedures for obtaining work permits. Participants particularly voiced the problems experienced by their spouses in the world of work, offered proposals for solutions; and were informed on the recent work of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services.

Social Security Rights

The seminar on 06 September 2018 with the participation of Ms. Semra Güneş, the Centre Director from Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of Social Security provided information on women’s rights in the social security system, pregnancy, birth-maternity, and marriage, and emphasised the importance of insured work.

ISKUR Active Labour Market Programmes

The seminar on 07 September 2018 with the participation of Mr. Ali Akış and Mr. Engin Güngördü, job and vocational counsellors from Gaziantep ISKUR, information was provided to women beneficiaries of the project on ISKUR’s mandate and activities, courses and events offered, as well as how they could access Gaziantep ISKUR, how to register, and job-seeking processes under ISKUR activities. Participants were also shown, using real participant information, how to register at ISKUR online system. The seminar drew great attention from the participants.

Occupational Safety and Health

The seminar on 10-11 September 2018 with the participation of expert Ms. Burcu Ünal provided information to participants, particularly in the context of occupational training provided under the project, on measures that must be taken at work, occupational diseases, protection methods, equipment for occupational safety, and the legal obligations of employers and workers for protecting against work accidents.

Role Models

The seminar on 12-13 September 2018 featured Ms. Mensure Laçin, who was supported under ILO’s “More and Better Jobs for Women: Women's Empowerment through Decent Work in Turkey” implemented in the period of 2013-2016, and won an award for the business project she had created. Having established a foreign trade company on children’s apparel and now exporting, the businesswoman Mensure Laçin told about her life story covering Azerbaijan and Turkey, her fight to survive, challenges experienced, and her resolution culminating in starting up her business. There were sentimental moments as well in the seminar where participants voiced own life stories, wishes and dreams.