Activists from Türkiye gain critical insights from the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

In July 2024, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) convened in New York, gathering global leaders, policymakers, and experts to evaluate and discuss progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the participants were three dedicated activists from Türkiye supported by UN Women, who gained essential insights and crucial perspectives on education, gender equality, sustainable development, and child rights. Their experience at the forum provided them with a unique platform to engage with international stakeholders, deepen their understanding of global issues, and advocate for crafting sustainable, innovative and equitable solutions for the achievement of SDGs.

Burcu Meltem Arık, Coordinator at the Education Reform Initiative and Board Member of Roots and Shoots Türkiye, shared that participating in the HLPF was “profoundly transformative.” She emphasized the unique opportunity to engage with global leaders and experts on sustainable development, education, and child rights.

“The forum not only enriched my professional knowledge but also equipped me with new tools and insights to advocate for sustainable and equitable education systems. The connections and collaborative spirit fostered at the HLPF will significantly enhance my efforts in influencing policy and driving impactful change in the realms of education and child protection,” says Arık.

İlayda Eskitaşçıoğlu, president and co-founder of the We Need to Talk Association and a young leader for the SDGs, highlighted her focus on menstrual justice and period poverty—issues closely linked with SDG 1 on ending poverty. She mentioned that her participation provided a platform to connect with other civil society organizations (CSOs) focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality.

“Our role as young feminist civil society representatives is crucial, particularly in light of the Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report, which revealed that only 17 percent of SDG targets are currently on track. We are hoping for a more gender-transformative approach to poverty and seeking greater involvement from our Turkish delegation throughout the HLPF discussions. This was a valuable opportunity of representation and observation for Turkish civil society organizations and we will share the outcomes and experiences within our networks,” says Eskitaşçıoğlu.

Elif Topkaya Sevinç, founder of Zincir Social Enterprise and a member of Flying Broom Foundation, reflected on the invaluable experience gained from attending the HLPF. “Attending the High-Level Political Forum 2024 provided firsthand experience of global advocacy and policy influence within UN mechanisms. I gained a comprehensive understanding of international activism’s role in addressing global challenges. This experience emphasized the importance of networking with global women’s movements and engaging in multi-stakeholder partnerships to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Such international advocacy efforts are crucial for transferring local issues, grass roots voices and solutions to the global stage, and contributing to the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in Türkiye,” says Topkaya Sevinç.

The participation of activists from Türkiye at the HLPF not only provided them with a platform for representation and observation but also allowed them to share their experiences and outcomes within their respective networks.

“As UN Women, our goal is to empower women’s rights activists by supporting their participation in gender equality-focused national, regional and international platforms, enabling them to advocate on these platforms and build networks with decision-makers and peers globally. We firmly believe that civil society and activists are crucial in driving the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By facilitating their attendance, we aimed to ensure a diverse range of perspectives at this HLPF. The valuable insights and experiences these activists gain will significantly advance efforts toward the SDGs, underscoring the essential role of civil society in advancing women’s rights and gender equality in Türkiye,” says Ebru Ağduk, Programme Specialist of ‘Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality’ project, a programme implemented in partnership with CSOs to influence national and local women’s rights and gender equality agendas.

Under the Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality project, funded by the European Union, UN Women provided logistics and technical support to activists and CSOs in order to ensure their representation and effective participation in gender equality-focused national, regional and international platforms, initiatives, conferences and events.