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 TURKEY Around 6 million young people between 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 Foundation Duration: April 2011-April 2012 Location: 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 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 project Next step the Ministry of National Education

THE OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT Created New Model Created Awareness Provided Data For The Field

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. 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. 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…