The Job for the Future Project, which aims to help young girls under state protection make a strong start in life by gaining a profession, has produced its seventh term of graduates. Within the scope of the project carried out by the Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM), 15 young girls who successfully completed an intensive six-month training program received their certificates at a graduation ceremony.

The graduation ceremony held in Istanbul was attended by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, KADEM Board of Trustees Chair Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, KADEM Chair of the Board Atty. Dr. Canan Sarı, Director General of TRT Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı, and many invited guests.

“THIS IS NOT JUST AN EDUCATION, BUT A JOURNEY OF HOLDING ON TO LIFE”

Speaking at the ceremony, KADEM Board of Trustees Chair Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar emphasized that The Job for the Future Project creates a real transformation in the lives of young girls. Stating that the project goes beyond an employment initiative and provides young girls with a secure foundation for the future, Bayraktar said:

“This project is not only a vocational training program; it is a journey of holding on to life. Six months ago, these young women set out asking, ‘Can I do this?’ Today, they stand before us saying, ‘I succeeded.’ The certificates you received are not just proof of an education; they are proof of the path you walked without giving up, the determination you showed, and the belief you had in yourselves.”

Bayraktar added that KADEM would continue to stand by the graduates after the ceremony, concluding her remarks as follows:

“We only opened a door. You are the ones who walked through that door and built this success.”

“WE WANTED TO ELIMINATE THE ANXIETY OF ‘WHAT NOW?’”

KADEM Chair of the Board Atty. Dr. Canan Sarı, in her speech, drew attention to the project’s real-life impact. Emphasizing that The Job for the Future Project is a strong social model that intervenes at a critical turning point in young girls’ lives, Sarı said:

“When we launched this project, our goal was very clear. We wanted young girls not to experience the anxiety of ‘What now?’ when they turn 18 and leave institutional care. We brought this program to life so that they could stand on their own feet and look to the future with confidence.”

Stating that the program was designed with a multifaceted structure, Sarı underlined the importance of psycho-social support and made the following assessment:

“Technical knowledge alone is not enough in life. Alongside vocational training, psycho-educational programs played a major role in this process. Our young girls gained self-awareness and became psychologically stronger. The most meaningful message of this program was the principle: ‘If I know myself, I can also manage my life.’”

“OUR COUNTRY NEEDS STRONG WOMEN IN EVERY FIELD”

Speaking at the program, Director General of TRT Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı said:

“As TRT, we are very pleased to be part of this meaningful journey and to contribute to the dreams of our young girls. God willing, we will support this project over the next three years and provide employment opportunities for our graduates. TRT needs your productivity, your care, and your labor. Our country needs women to exist strongly in every field.”

“EVERY GRADUATION IS A NEW BEGINNING”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated in her speech that The Job for the Future Project is an exemplary social support model that enables young girls to stand on their own feet. Minister Göktaş said:

“You have turned the opportunities offered to you into a new beginning in your lives through your determination and belief. We are proud of you. I would like to thank KADEM for standing by our young girls, believing in them, and dedicating their efforts to this meaningful journey. The future of a country is shaped by policies that unlock the potential of young girls. Every project that empowers them in education, employment, and social life not only supports individual success; it transforms society, increases social resilience, accelerates economic development, and contributes to cultural life. Because with every step they take, our young girls expand both their own stories and the future of this country. With this belief, as a Ministry, we support with great determination all efforts that carry our young girls toward a strong future. Today, we also share the happiness of our new graduates who have successfully completed their training. I congratulate each and every one of you.”

FIRST STEP INTO WORKING LIFE WITH TRT

During the six-month training program, the young girls received vocational training in areas such as computer skills, diction, accounting, banking transactions, and legal obligations. In addition, their adaptation to life was supported through psycho-social assistance, personal development training, and mentoring programs.

The employment process for the 7th term graduates will be launched in cooperation with TRT. KADEM will continue to provide mentoring and psychological support to the young girls for two years after graduation.

A MODEL SOCIAL INITIATIVE FOR TÜRKİYE

The Job for the Future Project, which KADEM has been implementing since 2016 with the principle of “equality in existence, justice in responsibility,” aims to enable young girls under state protection who have been distanced from formal education to acquire a profession and build an independent life.

Carried out through cooperation among public institutions, civil society, and the private sector, the project stands out as a model initiative that creates lasting transformation in the lives of young girls.