Beijing+30 Youth Blog: Every time we stand up for women’s independence and their right to make their own choices, we move closer to a fairer world
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Ekin Akman, an 18-year-old education advocate and gender equality activist from Ankara, Türkiye. Photo: Personal archive
In Türkiye, women are often described as the “glue” of the family, holding everything together, ensuring peace, and providing care. While this might sound like a compliment, it can actually be a heavy burden, especially when women lack financial independence. This cultural expectation, deeply rooted in Turkish society, often pushes women away from pursuing education and careers.
For instance, 68% of women in Türkiye do not even have their own bank account. Many must ask their husbands for money, restricting their ability to make basic choices. The situation is even more severe in the Southeastern Anatolia region, where many women cannot read or write. Without education, they often find themselves trapped, forced to rely on others - usually their husbands - for everything.
One of the biggest challenges is how society sees women primarily as caregivers and family protectors. While caring for family is valuable, women are individuals with their own dreams, goals, and rights. Yet, many are treated like pawns in a chess game, controlled by their families and husbands, with little say over their own lives.
This reality plays out every day. Young girls are often told to focus on finding a rich husband instead of pursuing a career. This advice does not come from just one source - it is reinforced by family members, relatives, and friends until it becomes “normal.” After marriage, many women are not allowed to work, leaving them financially dependent on their husbands. When they are denied the money they need, they are left with no choice but to accept their circumstances, struggling to provide for themselves and their children.
I have seen this reality firsthand in my own family. My grandmothers suffered mental breakdowns whenever they struggled to meet their needs because they had no paying job or financial security. Their experience taught me a crucial lesson: women need both knowledge about their rights and role models to show them what’s possible if they are to break free from these restrictions.
This is where the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action becomes relevant to our lives today. Adopted in 1995, it is more than just a document - it is a powerful blueprint that defines women’s fundamental rights across 12 key areas, from economic independence to education. It reminds us that the struggles women face in Türkiye are not just personal – they are part of a larger fight for equality that women worldwide have been working to change for decades.
We can start making a difference within our own families by challenging outdated beliefs such as “women should not work.” Instead, we need to push for shared responsibilities between men and women. Young people, in particular, have the power to introduce fresh perspectives at home, gradually shifting societal attitudes toward greater gender equality.
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we must do more than just remember it - we need to live its principles. Every time we stand up for women’s independence and their right to make their own choices, we are moving closer to a fairer world. It is up to all of us to ensure that women are seen and treated as independent individuals who can shape their own destinies.
Ekin Akman. Photo: Personal archive
Biography: 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.
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This blog post is part of the Beijing+30 “Speak Youth to Power” series, and the opinions and views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or its Member States.