Bodrum Municipality officials and civil society participate in workshops on Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriages
Date:
Bodrum, 22 August 2022 - Officials from Bodrum Municipality and civil society representatives participated in the workshops on gender-responsive budgeting and elimination of child, early and forced marriages conducted by UN Women Türkiye with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Conducted between August 22-24, under the Municipality’s Local Equality Action Plan, the workshop discussed gender-responsive policies and how women’s different needs should be covered through budgeting. Participants learned how decisions and budget allocations can have an impact on gender equality.
The workshop continued with a session on the elimination of child, early and forced marriages. Participants discussed Bodrum Municipality’s role and responsibility in relation to eliminating harmful behaviors and attitudes that cause inequalities. The workshop also provided a space to elaborate further on the health risks of child, early and forced marriages and case studies about the topic.
Speaking at the event, Ahmet Aras, Mayor of Bodrum Municipality said: “Women should take an active role and have equal representation in decision-making mechanisms. Women must participate equally in decisions pertaining to society.”
In her remarks UN Women Türkiye Programme Specialist Duygu Arığ said “As UN Women Türkiye, we are working with local governments to support them in developing gender-responsive plans, programmes and municipal services. We are planning our actions within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and other international agreements.”
The workshop was organized under the project “Advancing Gender Equality and Women's Leadership in Political and Business Life” funded by Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by UN Women Türkiye.
While supporting the implementation of the Bodrum Municipality Local Equality Action Plan, the workshop aimed at socializing the gender-responsive local government approach. Setting out a 3-year (2022-2024) roadmap for the municipality, the Action Plan aims for a municipality that focuses its priorities on gender equality, ensures participation, recognizes diversity, and brings institutional arrangements with it.
UN Women will continue to support Local Equality Action Plans in Bodrum and other provinces across Türkiye.
Contact: Ayse Gultekin
ayse.gultekin@unwomen.org