For ALL Women and Girls: Halime Güner on the power of civil society in advancing gender equality
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Halime Güner, a lifelong feminist activist, has worked to strengthen women’s civil society and amplify grassroots voices in Türkiye. Photo: UN Women/Ali Saltan.
#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. Halime Güner, one of Türkiye’s most enduring advocates for women’s rights, reflects on the role of grassroots activism, the impact of collective action, and the ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality.
A lifetime of activism: From grassroots to institutional change
Since 1970, Halime Güner has been actively involved in feminist and social justice movements, helping shape the direction of women’s activism in Türkiye. She is a founding member of Uçan Süpürge (Flying Broom Foundation), an organization committed to advancing women’s rights and elevating feminist voices through advocacy, media, and community engagement.
Her activism began at a young age when she became aware of the systemic inequalities faced by women. “The realization that discrimination is embedded in every layer of society pushed me towards collective action,” she recalls. Over the years, she has worked on women’s political participation, gender-sensitive media, and policies addressing violence against women.
From Beijing 1995: Bridging official delegations and civil society
The Beijing Conference was a turning point for Güner and Türkiye’s women’s movement. She played a central role in the national preparations for the conference and attended as part of Türkiye’s official delegation. She also recognized the importance of civil society in shaping the discussions and actively encouraged grassroots organizations to participate. "Being in the official delegation allowed me to see how policies were formed at the highest level, but it also reinforced my belief that real change comes from mobilizing communities," she explains.
She vividly remembers the scale of the conference. “It was a space where civil society had a real voice in shaping the global agenda for women’s rights.”
For Güner, one of the most profound aspects of Beijing was the visibility and recognition of civil society organizations. “For the first time, governments had to listen to us - not just in the conference halls, but in the corridors, in negotiations, in side events,” she says. The presence of thousands of activists from around the world reinforced the power of grassroots mobilization in influencing policies.
The legacy of the Beijing Declaration and the role of civil society
The Beijing Platform for Action marked a shift in how gender equality was approached at both national and international levels. For Güner, the most critical achievement was the formal recognition of civil society as an essential actor in monitoring and advancing gender equality.
“Without civil society pushing for change, many of the commitments made in Beijing would have remained empty promises."
Halime Güner, Feminist Activist
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Since then, advocacy has led to policy reforms, the establishment of gender-focused institutions, and greater public awareness of women’s rights.
Yet challenges faced by feminist organizations persist. “We are witnessing increasing restrictions on civil society and funding limitations that make it harder for grassroots movements to sustain their work,” she warns. Continued investment in civil society networks, she insists, is essential to keep gender equality a priority on national and global agendas.
30 years later: Strengthening women’s movements for the future
Three decades on, Güner remains convinced that civil society is the backbone of progress. But she warns that external pressures threaten feminist activism. “Women’s organizations must stay united. We have to strengthen our networks, share knowledge, and support each other across generations,” she urges.
One of the key lessons from her activism is the power of solidarity. “Social movements evolve, and our strategies must evolve with them,” she notes, encouraging young feminists to embrace digital activism, intersectional approaches, and innovative forms of organizing.
Güner calls on activists, policymakers, and communities to reaffirm their commitment to gender equality. “The fight for women’s rights is not over, and it will never be over as long as inequality exists,” she states.
For ALL women and girls, the Beijing Declaration remains a promise that must be fulfilled. With strong civil society engagement, collective action, and unwavering determination, the vision of Beijing can become a reality.
