Mesures prises:
Since the early establishment, women have made significant contributions to the mission and humanitarian efforts of Türk Kızılay (the Turkish Red Crescent, TRC). They have not only performed supportive roles, but have also served actively in the field alongside men. Since the establishment of Türk Kızılay has been paid special attention to the support and development of women. Thus Hilal-i Ahmer Women Center was established on march 20, 1912. Since its establishment, Hilal-i Ahmer Women Center has helped soldiers fighting at the front, the wounded and the sick, the orphans and those in need of care, families of martyrs and soldiers, immigrants and prisoners.
And since then, women have worked in critical areas such as nursing, health services and logistical support, playing a crucial role in enhancing Türk Kızılay’s disaster response capacity and protecting public health. Women volunteers and professionals have worked tirelessly in times of war and peace, natural disasters and humanmade crises, and have become indispensable to Türk Kızılay’s mission. Today, women continue to lead at various levels of Türk Kızılay, spearheading innovative projects and advancing the development of humanitarian efforts.
With the implementation of Türk Kızılay’s regulation in 2022, a women’s quota was introduced in the Headquarters and Branch Managements. The inclusion of women in management roles has been notably emphasized, marking a progressive step towards gender equality. This statute of Türk Kızılay mandates that at least three members of the headquarters’ Board of Directors must be women, promoting the equal representation and influence in decision-making processes. This commitment to gender diversity is not limited to the headquarters; it extends to the boards of directors in provincial and sub-provincial branches, where at least one female member is required. By institutionalizing this modality, Türk Kızılay not only acknowledges the indispensable contributions of women but also actively champions their participation and leadership within the organization. This proactive approach fosters a more inclusive, equitable, and dynamic environment.
Kızılay Women have made significant strides in enhancing female participation and leadership within Türk Kızılay. Through strategic projects, disaster response efforts, and social empowerment initiatives, women they have contributed to building resilient communities and fostering a culture of volunteerism. The ongoing commitment to training and environmental sustainability ensures that their impact will continue to grow in the years to come.
Kızılay Women has developed an innovative volunteer model aimed at enhancing the active and efficient participation of women within Türk Kızılay. Notably, 61% of the volunteers actively participating in Türk Kızılay’s activities are women.
NEW VOLUNTEER MODEL
Establishment and Objectives
Türk Kızılay initiated a new volunteer model to increase the visibility and participation of women volunteers. This model focuses on:
• Enhancing Participation: Encouraging more women to volunteer within the branches.
• Increasing Efficiency: Implementing a structured approach to volunteer activities.
• Organizational Expansion: Extending activities to new regions and increasing the overall impact.
Women volunteers have been actively involved in Kızılay since 1912, consistently serving on the front lines. However, the establishment of a new organizational model, Kızılay Women, was necessary to achieve several key objectives. These include systematically organizing women volunteers across all branches and representative offices nationwide, expanding and enhancing targeted activities by creating specialized work areas, facilitating the coordinated development of female volunteers through mutual learning and teaching, elevating and supporting the visibility of women’s activities within the organization, and creating a nationwide agenda for promoting goodwill through country-wide initiatives. Implementing this comprehensive strategy ensures these objectives are seamlessly integrated, thereby strengthening the impact and reach of Kızılay Women’s efforts.
Volunteer Activities and Impact
1. Target Groups and Activities
Focus Areas: Families, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, women living alone, prisoners, orphans, and disaster-affected individuals.
Sister Family Project: Supporting women, elderly, and children through regular visits and assistance. Launched in 2022, this project connects Kızılay Women volunteers with families in need, providing cleaning, shopping assistance, and emotional support. Volunteers visit these “sister families” regularly to foster unity and address their needs.
Healthy Living and Aging Training: Promoting health awareness and physical activity. Focusing on social awareness and education, volunteers have conducted Healthy Living and Aging Education sessions, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and healthy habits. Events like World Walking Day highlight the role of physical activity in preventing chronic diseases.
2. Disaster Relief Efforts
Women play a pivotal role in disaster relief efforts, actively engaging in various aspects of support during emergencies. Their involvement spans logistical operations, health services provision, and social aid delivery in evacuation and disaster zones. Through dedicated volunteer training programs, they continuously enhance their skills and readiness to respond effectively to disasters, ensuring a coordinated and impactful relief response.
• Earthquake Response: Active participation in relief efforts following major earthquakes, providing logistical support, mental health services, public health initiatives, and food security.
• Volunteer Coordination: Effective use of the Volunteer Management System (gonulluol.org.tr) for organizing volunteer tasks and mobilizing support.
KIZILAY WOMEN’S INTEGRAL ROLE IN DISASTER RELIEF AND WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES
Kızılay Women play a pivotal role in disaster relief efforts, actively engaging in various aspects of support during emergencies. Their involvement spans logistical operations, health services provision, and social aid delivery in evacuation and disaster zones. Through dedicated volunteer training programs, they continuously enhance their skills and readiness to respond effectively to disasters, ensuring a coordinated and impactful relief response.
Furthermore, Kızılay Women are at the forefront of waste management projects, notably exemplified by their participation in the “Zero Waste, Zero Concern” initiative. This comprehensive program focuses on waste prevention, recycling, and composting, with a specific emphasis on reducing kitchen waste through practical training sessions. By actively participating in clean-up activities, thematic workshops, and global initiatives like World Clean-up Day, they actively contribute to fostering sustainable practices and raising awareness about environmental conservation within their communities.
The unwavering commitment and proactive engagement of Kızılay Women in disaster relief and waste management projects underscore their dedication to serving vulnerable populations and promoting sustainable development. Their multifaceted contributions not only address immediate societal needs but also cultivate a culture of volunteerism, environmental responsibility, and community resilience within the organization and beyond. Their holistic approach to humanitarian and environmental challenges sets a commendable example for fostering positive change and building more resilient societies.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN LEADERS & WOMEN LEADERSHIP
The First Female President
In 2023, Prof Dr Fatma Meriç Yılmaz made history by becoming the first female president in the 156-year history of Türk Kızılay. Her election was a landmark achievement that underscored the organisation’s commitment to gender equality and empowering women in leadership. This historic milestone not only reflects the progressive values of Türk Kızılay, but also serves as an inspiring example to women across the country, proving that traditional barriers can be overcome and that women can reach the highest leadership positions in any field.
Prof Dr Fatma Meriç Yılmaz has an extensive academic and professional background in the medical field. She graduated from medical school and went on to pursue postgraduate studies, culminating in a distinguished career as a professor of medicine. Her contributions to public health and medical education are remarkable and include clinical practice, research and teaching. She has had a significant impact on various aspects of health care delivery and policy, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to the advancement of medical science and education.
GLOWRED Participation
Türk Kızılay is an active participant to the Global Leadership of Women in Red (GLOWRED) network. Through GLOWRED, Türk Kızılay has engaged with National Society leaders to share best practices and strategies for enhancing female leadership in humanitarian organizations.
Inclusiveness Efforts
Türk Kızılay has made significant progress in increasing the participation and representation of women at all levels of the organisation. By ensuring that women are involved from grassroots volunteers to top leadership positions, Türk Kızılay has fostered a more inclusive and diverse environment. This commitment is reflected in its proactive approach to leadership training, providing targeted development opportunities that equip women with the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles. In addition, the organisation has been a staunch advocate for gender equality, raising awareness of the critical importance of women’s empowerment and advocating for policies that support this cause. These efforts not only enrich the organisation’s leadership pool, but also strengthen its humanitarian mission by harnessing the full potential of its diverse workforce.
Table 1: Percentage Change in Targeted Number of Female Leaders by Year
2020 (Year)
120 (Targeted Number of Female Leaders)
136 (Achievement*)
%113 (Achievement Rate)
136 (The Number of Kızılay Women Affiliated with Branches)
2021 (Year)
180 (Targeted Number of Female Leaders)
194 (Achievement*)
%107 (Achievement Rate)
194 (The Number of Kızılay Women Affiliated with Branches)
2022 (Year)
220 (Targeted Number of Female Leaders)
201 (Achievement*)
%91 (Achievement Rate)
201 (The Number of Kızılay Women Affiliated with Branches)
2023 (Year)
230 (Targeted Number of Female Leaders)
209 (Achievement*)
%90 (Achievement Rate)
209 (The Number of Kızılay Women Affiliated with Branches)
*In 2020, Kızılay Women leaders and Kızılay Women teams were established and conducted volunteer activities in 59 provinces and 77 districts (totaling 136 leaders). In 2021, they expanded to 74 provinces and 120 districts (totaling 194 leaders). In 2022, the presence extended to 66 provinces and 135 districts (totaling 201 leaders). By 2023, they operated in 64 provinces and 145 districts (totaling 209 leaders).
