KADEM Addresses Women’s Issues in South Africa at W20’s 10th Anniversary

The special opening meeting marking the 10th anniversary of W20, hosted by the Republic of South Africa, was a significant gathering for the empowerment of women globally. Attending the meeting as part of the Turkish delegation, KADEM (Women and Democracy Foundation) drew attention with its KooPro Project, aimed at supporting women’s cooperatives. The KADEM delegation showcased internationally significant projects that highlight women’s potential in areas such as climate resilience, food security, and digital transformation. The three-day meetings featured global collaborations aimed at strengthening the role of women in economic and social life.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency during the W20 sessions, KADEM Chairperson Dr. Canan Sarı, Attorney at Law, said:

“W20 (Women 20) is a working group within the G20 focused on women’s rights. It was established ten years ago under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to economically empower women and increase their participation in decision-making processes. NGOs are also a crucial part of W20 because they transmit the data and experiences they gather from the field to decision-makers, ensuring societal needs are reflected in policies.

Thus, our concrete proposals are included in the policy documents presented to the G20. KADEM’s presence on this platform is critical because we take on an essential role by communicating the problems of women not only in our country but also across our region and the Islamic world, without ignoring their national values and cultural structures.”

Canan Sarı emphasized that KADEM always contributes to W20 meetings with its field experiences and academic studies:

“At this meeting, we also shared a field-based experience. Our Deputy Director General, Betül Özel Çiçek, presented the KooPro Project, which supports women’s cooperatives, as a good practice under the title ‘The Untapped Potential of Rural Women for Climate Resilience, Food Security, and Digital Transformation.’”

Strong Support for Women’s Cooperatives: The KooPro Project

Dr. Betül Özel Çiçek, Deputy Director General at KADEM, introduced the KooPro Project during her presentation at the panel titled “Challenges and Hopes for Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Just Transition to Renewable Energy.” She stated that KooPro is more than a project—it is a guiding light for the future:

“We believe that cooperatives led by women, when equipped with the support and tools they need, become pioneers of resilience in their communities. For KADEM, KooPro is not just a project—it is a symbol: when women lead, communities thrive. With each cooperative we support, we move one step closer to an inclusive, climate-aware, and locally resilient future.”

The KooPro – Women’s Cooperatives Support and Coordination Center project, initiated and currently being implemented by KADEM to empower women economically, aims to strengthen cooperatives founded by women. As part of the project, women producing in fields such as handicrafts, agriculture, and food are provided training; cooperatives are granted access to shared production facilities; and integration into digital sales platforms is supported. Additionally, cooperatives are accredited based on sustainability criteria. KooPro aims to empower women not only economically but also socially. Currently, 16 women’s cooperatives from various regions in Türkiye are receiving comprehensive support in areas such as production, digital marketing, and governance.

KADEM KooPro

W20 Group Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

W20 (Women 20) is the official engagement group of the G20, established in 2015 during Türkiye’s G20 Presidency. Formed under the leadership of KAGİDER, KADEM, and TİKAD, this platform aims to strengthen women’s economic participation and involvement in decision-making processes.
Since it was established, W20 has developed policy recommendations on issues such as increasing women’s labor force participation, improving financial access, bridging the digital divide, making the care economy more visible, strengthening women’s role in STEM fields, and combating violence against women. The declarations prepared at the annual W20 Summits are presented to G20 leaders to influence global policy.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year under the theme “Women in Solidarity towards Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,” W20, hosted by South Africa, emphasizes global cooperation and solidarity in the struggle for equality.

KADEM Prioritizes International Efforts

KADEM participated in this year’s meeting with a delegation including Chairperson Dr. Atty. Canan Sarı, Attorney at Law, Deputy Director General for Advocacy and Research Dr. Betül Özel Çiçek, Academy Board Member Dr. Nursem Keskin Aksay, Deputy Director General for Communications Semanur Sönmez Yaman, and International Relations Specialist Nurbanu Küçük.

Besides the W20 meetings, the KADEM delegation met with women entrepreneurs, Muslim women’s groups, and the daughter of Imam Harun—a symbol of resistance against the Apartheid regime—in Cape Town to learn more about the efforts and challenges of African Muslim women. KADEM, planning communication and cooperation with local NGOs, offers a unique approach to women’s issues in the international arena by considering social and cultural differences.