As the EYDK and ETKIYAP Consortium, “Empowering Disabled Women and Girls Through Sports and Livelihood Opportunities” project—designed in line with UNESCO Fit for Life Programme and implemented with the support of the British Embassy Bilateral Programme—aims to collect the necessary data to enhance the physical and mental well-being of women and girls with disabilities, improve their access to education, and increase their employability by harnessing the power of sports. Based on the insights from the collected data, the project will contribute to shaping sustainable and effective interventions to empower women and girls with disabilities.
Pre-launch event of the “Empowering Disabled Women and Girls through Sports and Livelihood Opportunities” project was held on December 9, 2024, in Gaziantep, with the participation of more than 200 attendees, the majority of whom were individuals with disabilities. The event started with the opening remarks of Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, Wendy Wyver, Minister Counsellor, British Embassy Ankara and Şafak Müderrisgil, Chair of EYDK. Afterwards, EYDK Secretary General Tuğçe Söğüt informed the participants about the project objectives. The event continued with the inspiring stories of National para swimmer Sevilay Öztürk, who shared her Olympic journey; National athletes Sevda Kılınç Çırakoğlu and Sude Naz Cin, who spoke about their success stories; and Türkiye’s first amputee physiotherapist Zeynep Büyükardıç, who shared how she overcame barriers in the field of employment.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
- Data Collection Through Focus Group
To understand the participant’s needs, challenges, economic empowerment and sports access, a series of focus group meetings will be organised with various participants, aiming to reach 100 individuals. The collected data will be analysed to gain insights and information that will guide the project.
- Awareness-Raising and Engagement Workshops
These activities aim to reach 300 participants in total through workshops addressing the rights of people with disabilities, health, and economic empowerment opportunities. By collaborating with local stakeholders, the project aims to promote these workshops and reach a wide audience. Additionally, interactive sessions with experts will encourage participants to engage in discussions and deepen their involvement in the subject matter.
- Sport Excursions and Inspirational Talks
Through visits to sports events with women with disabilities, these activities aim to introduce participants to sports culture and raise awareness of various sports disciplines. With a target of reaching 150 participants, these activities will inspire them with the stories of athletes from different branches and prominent leaders from various sectors, broadening their horizons.
- International Women’s Day Event
Organised at UNESCO premises in Paris/France, this event will include speeches emphasising the global importance of enhancing social inclusion and supporting sustainable development at the intersection of gender equality, education, health, and sports by improving the physical and mental health of individuals, particularly women and girls. Additionally, the progress of the project, its results, and future goals will be shared with participants, raising awareness globally about empowering women and girls, building social resilience, and fostering inclusivity through sports and life skills with the support of all relevant stakeholders.
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY:
This project represents an initial stage of a broader initiative, and this funding would serve as catalytic capital, an innovative financial mechanism for social good. Through this mechanism, private funding—as a social impact bond—is expected to be sustained upon completion of the data collection process to be completed within the coverage of this project.
The project’s goals closely align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those aimed at reducing inequalities, promoting gender equality, and building resilient communities.