UN Women Türkiye has appointed Eda Erdem, captain of the Türkiye Women’s National Volleyball Team and one of the country’s most celebrated athletes, as its new Goodwill Ambassador. This partnership aims to strengthen the leadership roles of women and girls and to advance gender equality.

New York, 15 September 2025 – The Gender Snapshot 2025 report, released by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), shows that the world is at a crossroads. With investments, gender equality is within reach.

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, UN Women Türkiye continues to foster feminist solidarity across generations through its Speed Dialogue Meetings. The latest of these dynamic gatherings took place in Diyarbakır, bringing together senior and young women’s rights activists from the region and neighboring provinces, providing a unique platform for activists to exchange experiences, ideas, and strategies to advance gender equality and build collective strength.

Conference on Women in Beijing – a defining moment in the global movement for gender equality. Prof. Dr. Gaye Erbatur, 74, a politician and advocate for women’s rights from Türkiye, reflects on the role of women in leadership, the importance of institutional reform, and the need to strengthen legal systems for gender equality.

#ForAllWomenAndGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. As the world reflects on the progress made – and the challenges that remain - feminist voices from every corner are rising in solidarity to demand a stronger, more resilient future #ForAllWomenAndGirls. Among the leading voices is Canan Güllü, a prominent figure in Türkiye’s feminist movement and the President of the Federation of Women Associations of Türkiye (TKDF) - an umbrella organization approaching its 50th anniversary in January 2026.

#ForAllWomenAndGirls is a rallying call for action, as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. As the world reflects on the progress made – and the challenges that remain - feminist voices from every corner are rising in solidarity to demand a stronger, more resilient future #ForAllWomenAndGirls. Among them is Gülfer Kırbaş, co-founder and co-general coordinator of the Çember Civil Initiative Association in Türkiye, who has been tirelessly working for women’s rights and empowerment for years -  even amid crises such as the pandemic and devastating earthquakes.

#ForAllWomenandGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In 2025, the world marks 30 years since the landmark 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Prof. Dr. Feride Acar, a leading expert in international women’s rights and a key figure in gender equality advocacy, reflects on the need for intergenerational collaboration in advancing gender equality and tackling new forms of inequality that have emerged in recent decades.

Gaye Tuğrulöz is a youth activist and climate advocate working to advance gender equality and youth participation in climate action. She is an active leader in the Social Climate Association, which mobilizes young people across Türkiye to engage in transformative climate action. She served as the spokesperson for “Gençliğin Yüzleri,” a youth initiative bringing forward youth-centered policy proposals during the past general and local elections. Gaye has also taken part to UN Women Türkiye’s civil society gatherings, contributing to discussions on gender equality and youth engagement in climate action. She continues to actively engage with UN Women to strengthen inclusive, youth-driven approaches in climate action and gender equality.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, UN Women Türkiye and the Embassy of Sweden hosted a special documentary screening event in Ankara. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, bringing together activists, academics, diplomats, and young leaders to reflect on three decades of progress in advancing women’s rights and gender equality.

#ForAllWomenandGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In 2025, the world marks 30 years since the landmark 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Prof. Dr. Fatmagül Berktay of Türkiye– a distinguished political scientist, and feminist scholar– reflects on the declaration’s normative legacy.

#ForAllWomenandGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Ayata from Türkiye, a scholar and activist, reflects on the progress and ongoing challenges in women's political participation and gender equality.

Selma Altay Rodopman, the HeForShe Fenerbahçe spokesperson, contributes to Turkish sports as a member of the Board of Directors of Fenerbahçe Sports Club and the Turkish National Olympic Committee. Rodopman believes that women should be more represented in sports and have equal opportunities. In line with this vision, she leads efforts to promote gender equality both in the organizations where she serves as a board member and under the umbrella of Fenerbahçe Sports Club.

Nazlı Küçükyeşil is a 23-year-old student at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Türkiye, majoring in American Studies. Passionate about gender issues and social progress, she has been actively engaged in gender studies throughout her academic journey.

Emel Gültekin, an innovative entrepreneur from Türkiye, and founder of Çukurova Başak Women's Cooperative, engaged at UN Women’s regional Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO, connecting with ŞOK Marketler’s "Count Me In" project—an initiative by Yıldız Holding. Through the partnership, the Cooperative generated over 10 million TL in value and helped transformation women’s lives.

Ekin Akman is an 18-year-old education advocate and gender equality activist for UN Women from Ankara, Türkiye. She champions equal opportunities in education through her non-profit organization, The Power of Youth Writers, and fosters youth engagement in decision-making as the youngest business advisor for UNICEF in the Europe and Central Asia region.

In times of crisis, access to justice becomes more crucial than ever. Disasters, such as the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February 2023, leave communities vulnerable, not only in terms of shelter and basic needs but also in accessing their legal rights. In such scenarios, traditional legal systems can often be overwhelming, complex, and inaccessible for those in need. This is where legal design plays a transformative role in ensuring justice is within reach for all.

Nesrin Deli is a shopkeeper in the Defne district of Hatay, Southeastern Türkiye and one of the founding partners of the Defne Women's Cooperative. On the morning of February 6, 2023, like everyone else, Nesrin’s life changed within minutes. At 46 years old, she had to rebuild her life in the shadow of the devastating earthquakes that shook Türkiye.

In the district of Samandağ in Hatay, the Samandağ Women's Cooperative was established to make women's labor visible and create employment opportunities for women. However, the cooperative was completely destroyed when the earthquakes struck Southeastern Türkiye on February 6th.  Zarif Sönmez Arslan, who began her career as a banker, decided to continue her journey by joining the cooperative, founded in 2019 by seven partners, as a production manager in 2020. She describes the aftermath of the disaster with these words.

To sustain women’s leadership in recovery, UN Women Türkiye is working to strengthen the capacity of women-led organizations, and promote gender-responsive policies at the local and national levels. This includes supporting the establishment of women’s life centers and other community-based initiatives that provide essential services to women and girls. The stories of resilience and determination shared at the November 14th event serve as a powerful reminder: women are not just beneficiaries of aid—they are leading the way in rebuilding communities. But to continue this work, they need recognition, resources, and a commitment to lasting change. UN Women Türkiye remains committed to standing with them, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their expertise shapes a more inclusive, effective recovery process.

As part of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, UN Women Türkiye initiated its first Beijing+30: Speed Dialogue Meeting with the participation of women activists from different generations. Beijing+30: Speed Dialogue Meetings aim to foster intergenerational connections among women activists, provide a space for mutual learning, and enhance collective efforts towards achieving gender equality.