Gender Equality

A single mother trying to build greater economic security rarely faces one barrier at a time.

Returning to work after years of caregiving may need updated digital skills, and help navigating a job market that has changed while she was away. But training alone may not be enough if she cannot access childcare. These challenges are interconnected in people’s lives. Philanthropy, however, often funds them separately.

Hüsamettin Koçan was born in a remote village 45 kilometers from Bayburt, where life was defined by hard work and resilience. Raised by his mother in this rugged..

In Türkiye, many women still face challenges in accessing reproductive health services. Preventive care remains limited. HPV vaccination rates are below 10%, and more than half of women have never had a mammogram or cervical smear. Factors such as stigma, early marriage, and the lack of postpartum mental health support continue to affect access to […]

53% of those affected by the 2023 twin-earthquakes were women. In its aftermath, they faced greater burdens—more caregiving, more work, and deeper inequalities. Yet, they did not give up. With resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit, they turned hardship into opportunity. Through the Let Women Start Their Business project, supported by Mavi Kalem and TPF, they […]

At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we believe in long-term, sustainable change – especially when it comes to gender equality. The challenges are immense. Turkey ranks 124th out of 136 in the world for gender inequality. Female employment remains under 36%, and still 15% of girls are married before they turn 18. While more girls are attending […]

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’d like to spotlight the remarkable journey of Sumeyye, a testament to the transformative power of education and community support. Programs like ‘Sparks’ by the Change Leaders Association (DLD) help young women unlock their potential and shatter barriers to gender equality. Sumeyye’s story not only illuminates the path to […]

Nearly a decade ago, Sibel unlocked the door to a modest beauty center in Bolu, a quiet city ringed by forests and mountains. What began as a means of livelihood soon..