UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN 68TH SESSION
KADEM’s Parallel Event within NGO FORUM
Concept Note
Empowerment Through Support: Best Practices from Women’s Centers
Event Title: Walking Together for Holistic Well-being: Alternative Practices from Women’s Centers
Organizer : Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM)
Date : March 12th Tuesday, 2024 10.30 – 12.00 AM
Venue : Türkevi, Turkish House 821 First Avenue
Overview
Demet1 (29): “I was hopeless about life, but now I am peaceful and happy. I didn’t even want to water my flowers; now, I talk to them daily.”
In today’s constantly transforming global landscape, women continue to face multiple challenges. Whether it is the impact of natural disasters, the trauma of conflict zones, or the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and discrimination, women are often disproportionately affected in various ways that have led them into deep poverty and deprivation. The persistence of vulnerable and disadvantaged positions of women, and the instability and complexity of challenges highlight the need to develop the support systems and structures with more inclusive, innovative and, above all, holistic approaches. As Demet, one of the earthquake survivors of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye from KADEM’s Women’s Support Center, has stated in the above quotation, behind the physical and basic needs, women are tracing hope, peace and happiness in micro practices for their well-being which points out the social, emotional and spiritual aspects beside economic and structural needs. Recognizing the unique and invisible vulnerabilities they encounter, and the dependency of hope, peace and happiness to macro global systems and decisions, this event aims to delve into the critical role played by women’s support centers in addressing and mitigating the challenges faced by women around the world with a deeper and holistic manner. Women’s support centers serve as beacons of hope, providing not only shelter but also a comprehensive network of services designed to empower all women to reclaim their lives in their own contexts and conditions.
This event will investigate the broader context in which women’s support centers operate, highlighting the global nature of the challenges women face. Understanding the specific nuances of these challenges allows us to better appreciate the vital role these centers play in offering tailored solutions, taking immediate and resolute action, building resilience, and empowering women to rebuild their lives. Especially based on the unique experiences of KADEM Women’s Support Centers, the discussion will go beyond immediate concerns to explore long-term impacts and contribute to a collective understanding of how support centers can produce a holistic approach to contribute to the prevention of gender inequality, discrimination and violence on a global scale. Speakers from various women’s centers will share insights into their services as examples of alternative practices. Discussions will focus on scaling up the best practices and innovative programs for greater impact.
Opening Remarks:
- Assoc. Prof. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, Chair of KADEM,
Moderator:
- Dr. Nursem Keskin Aksay, Executive Board Member of KADEM,
Panelists: 4 panelists
- Dr. Azize Aslıhan Nişancı, KADEM Women’s Center, Türkiye
- Jean Fisher, Faces of Hope, USA
- Rana Abdelhamid, Malikah, USA
- Amna Rumaisa, Working Women Welfare Trust Organisation, Pakistan
- Lil Corcoran, Women’s Information Center, USA
- Ella Mangisa, Ilitha Labantu, South Africa
Objectives of the Event
- Showcase alternative, innovative and effective examples of women centers from different contexts.
- Understanding the transforming and complex nature of the challenges women confronted in various aspects of life.
- Demonstrate the interdependency of local well-being of women and the global and international structures and decision-making mechanisms.
- Providing policy recommendations for developing holistic approaches for women’s well-being.
Guiding Questions for Discussion
- How can Women’s Centers provide the supports pointing all aspects of the challenging experiences of women? What is the role of context in supportive actions?
- What are the best, alternative, innovative practices and examples of Women’s Centers? What are the reflections of these experiences on international issues and vice versa?
- How can be the “well-being” of women defined?
- What are the main principles of a holistic approach in support mechanisms? What is the role of it? How it can be provided?
- What are the macro structures effecting the well-being of women? How can it be strategically analyzed and used in the applications of Women’s Centers?
- What are the policy making suggestions in global scale based on the experiences of Women’s Centers?
