IMPACT AREAS
GENDER EQUALITY
THE CHALLENGE
In Türkiye, gender inequality continues to limit opportunities for women and girls across all areas of life. From education and employment to leadership and safety, systemic barriers persist. Social norms, discriminatory practices, and unequal access to resources make it harder for women to reach their full potential.
Despite notable progress in female literacy, significant gaps remain. In 2019, Türkiye’s female-to-male education index stood at just 0.887, falling short of the parity seen in countries with high human development. While more girls are enrolling in school, lingering inequalities in higher education and regional disparities continue to hold many back.
Economic inclusion also remains elusive. Women’s labor force participation was only 34% in 2019, far below the 52–54% average in high-HDI countries. And, while global benchmarks illustrate that educational advancement should narrow income gaps, Turkish women still earn significantly less—on average, only about half the income that women in very high-HDI countries earn.
These stark figures reflect the urgency behind our work. At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we stand at the forefront of advancing gender equality—challenging deep-rooted disparities across education, economic participation, and decision-making in Türkiye. By addressing both the symptoms and root causes of gender inequality, we empower women and girls to rewrite their futures and build stronger, more inclusive communities.
WHAT WE DO
READY TO TAKE ACTION?
Your support helps underprivileged girls continue their education from secondary school to university. Donations provide accommodation, scholarships, health care, and psychosocial support at Koruncukköy campuses.
Gender Equality$12,670 USD / $200,000 USD
KAHEV provides scholarships to students from pre-school to university, supporting education and opportunity for future generations. Your donation helps women pursue medical careers and children of healthcare workers continue their studies.
Gender Equality$875 USD / $50,000 USD
TurkishWIN empowers young women across Türkiye with mentorship, skills development, and community support to build careers they love. Your donation helps expand mentoring programs, amplify women’s stories, and create opportunities that remove barriers, nurturing the next generation of Türkiye’s talent.
Gender Equality$9,406 USD / $80,000 USD
Southeastern Turkey’s children, especially adolescent girls, have faced enormous challenges after the February 2023 earthquakes. Suna’nin Kizlari Children’s Hubs provide safe spaces for education, psychosocial support, arts, sports, and health services—helping girls regain stability, confidence, and hope. Your donation ensures these hubs can reach more children, support families, and create lasting recovery in the communities that need it most.
Gender Equality$5,459 USD / $300,000 USD
Every young woman deserves the opportunity to succeed. The Turkish Association of University Women (TUKD) Istanbul Branch supports female university students from rural areas, helping them thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Through the Friendship Bridge program, students receive not only a monthly grant but also mentorship from donors in their field, providing guidance, career advice, and personal support as they navigate university life in Istanbul.
Gender Equality$525 USD / $138,000 USD
STORIES
October 27, 2026Turning Emergency Response into Lasting Capacity
Some of the most complex challenges facing communities cannot be addressed by philanthropy, academia, or local organizations working alone.
October 27, 2026A Place to Find Her Voice
After the February 2023 earthquakes, children in Hatay lost far more than buildings and familiar surroundings. Daily routines disappeared, communities were
October 27, 2026Home Away from Home.
We’re Here Hatay was founded immediately after the twin earthquakes by locals supporting their neighbors, friends, and families, and they’ve stayed
October 27, 2026Seen, Heard, and Built Together
Zerrin, a 9-year-old from Adıyaman, was asked a simple question: what would she like to add to the playground in her neighborhood? She did not ask
October 27, 2026Where Children Found Space to Play Again
In Hatay, a space created for children in the aftermath of the earthquakes became the setting for something unexpected: a film made by children about their own rights.
October 27, 2026Still Beneath the Surface
In the mid-1980s, a farmer in Şanlıurfa was working his field when he came across several stones, heavy, carved, and unfamiliar. He took them to a museum,