The ‘Project for the Future Project’ (Geleceğe İşbaşı) Was Awarded

Since 2016, the ‘Project for the Future’ (Geleceğe İşbaşı Project) implemented by the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) has been awarded by the UK-based international civil society organization ‘Girls Human Rights Hub (GHRH).’

To support the protection of girls’ rights and their access to equal opportunities, the ‘Girls Human Rights Hub’ (GHRH) organized the ‘Girls’ Human Rights Awards 2024’ ceremony in London, UK, on the occasion of ‘International Day of the Girl.’ The ceremony was attended by numerous international human rights lawyers, as well as representatives from civil society organizations and human rights groups.

At the ceremony, KADEM received the first-place award in the ‘Champion for Equality and Equity for Girls’ category for its ‘Project for the Future.’

KADEM was granted with the award for its active efforts to ensure that girls have equal opportunities in education, health, leadership, and other areas of life.

“THIS PROJECT WAS DEVELOPED TO ENABLE YOUNG GIRLS TO DREAM”

Zeynep Kevser Şerefoğlu Danış, a Board Member of KADEM, who attended the award ceremony, stated in her remarks that the ‘Project for the Future’ was developed with the aim of employing young girls aged 16-18 who are living in Child Support Centers and unable to receive formal education. She emphasized that this is a social responsibility project carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of National Education, and other relevant public institutions in Türkiye.

Danış explained that the project was developed to help young girls, who are under state protection due to neglect by their families and the potential vulnerability to various forms of abuse in society, to be able to dream. She further stated:

“We believe that these young girls can dream and change their lives if they receive the necessary education and skills, along with psychosocial support, and if they can turn their education into a job that leads to production. We understand that for change to occur, the first step is ensuring safety, followed by skill acquisition, and finally, fostering self-belief. Therefore, at KADEM, we have initiated a multi-dimensional program at our center, where we personally meet the girls, get to know them individually, and offer both vocational training and psychosocial support. In our ‘Project for the Future’, we provided training to 165 girls in areas such as computer operation, diction, fast typing, and general accounting.”

Danış, who received the award on behalf of the foundation, stated that, within the scope of the project, 118 young girls successfully completed their education, and 80 of them have started their careers at partner institutions. She also mentioned that KADEM has been supporting these individuals during their orientation process and has been monitoring their progress for two years.

Danış, the KADEM representative, stated: “It is very important for us to contribute to the development of talented, entrepreneurial, and skilled women who shape their futures with confidence, looking to tomorrow with hope, without giving up on their dreams or succumbing to despair.”

Danış concluded her speech by expressing her gratitude to KADEM Board of Trustees Chairwoman Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, KADEM Chairwoman Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, and the KADEM team.