TURKEY: PUBLIC DIPLOMACY SUPPLEMENTAL STRENGTHENS NGOS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 000042 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EUR/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SOCI PHUM KWMN KPAO SUBJECT: TURKEY: PUBLIC DIPLOMACY SUPPLEMENTAL STRENGTHENS NGOS, EMPOWERS WOMEN ADANA 00000042 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: A U.S.-sponsored grant to a women's organization in the Eastern Anatolia city of Adiyaman is providing literacy education for 200 poor women and vocational training for 70 more. The October 11 launch of the project demonstrated America's value as a force multiplier as a visit by the U.S. Ambassador catalyzed participation by dozens of key regional and national political and business leaders, all of whom praised this cooperative effort and echoed the message that women's empowerment is critical for Turkey's development. The project was funded under the FY08 Public Diplomacy Supplemental. End summary. Mission Turkey Focuses on Women's Empowerment -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Mission Turkey's FY08 Public Diplomacy Supplemental included resources for projects aimed at improving economic and social conditions for women living in southeastern Turkey. One of the grants was awarded to the Anatolian Women's Association of Adiyaman (AWAA). In its project proposal, the AWAA noted that discrimination against women remains rampant in the region and because of the strength of traditional local cultures where women are often treated as "incubators and commodities." So-called "honor" killings are still an issue. Only a few NGOs, AWAA noted, are dedicated to bringing about gender equality; AWAA advocates expanding basic literacy and business skills as an important first step to move forward. ¶3. (U) The Association designed a project focused on basic literacy and vocational training. Because nearly 30% of women in Adiyaman province are illiterate, the Association is offering 200 women a two-month course in basic reading, writing and speaking skills (because this is a Kurdish region, Turkish is the second language for many participants). A second course was created in collaboration with local textile companies and provides training in handicrafts and basic entrepreneurship. A third class for more highly educated women is in basic computer skills and includes use of the internet, word-processing and elementary website design. Anatolian Women Garner National Attention -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) The AWAA effectively leveraged the U.S. grant of $14,000 by establishing cooperative agreements with the local and provincial governments, giving them access to public school classrooms and a vocational training center. AWAA also recognized the importance of changing public perceptions about women's issues and lined up important allies, including Adiyaman native Mir Dengir Firat, a deputy chairman of the ruling AK Party and a member of PM Erdogan's inner circle, and Rifat Hisarciklioglu, a nationally prominent business leader who chairs the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB). ¶5. (U) During a half day of activities marking the launch of the project, Ambassador visited the school where the literacy classes are held and met with dozens of women who were just learning to read and write, including one woman who read short welcoming remarks for him. He also called on a group of women learning embroidery and other skills that will give them opportunities to work independently or in the local textile industry. Finally, Adiyaman University hosted a 2-hour conference featuring remarks by the Ambassador and other visitors, including Firat and Hisarciklioglu. ¶6. (U) In his remarks, the Ambassador noted the United States has worked for over 200 years and is continuing to struggle to bring into reality the principle that all people are created equal. The Turkish republic's founding principles, based on the vision of Ataturk, contain similar goals. Having legal rights in principle is one thing, but exercising them in practice is different. Realizing the right to equality, he continued, "requires hard work and dedication and he commended AWAA's work and that of the project participants, who will be able to use their new skills to provide for their families and contribute to their communities. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) With relatively modest funding ($100,000 total devoted to "Empowering Women"),Mission Turkey has been able to provide ADANA 00000042 002.2 OF 002 project support to four women's NGOs in southeastern Turkey. In addition to creating opportunities for hundreds of women to improve their lives and those of their families through basic education and vocational training, we have also worked to use the grants as a way to encourage more discussion about the importance of women's rights in Turkey's development aspirations by running an op-ed by the Ambassador in a national newspaper. The positive impact of this grant for the women's NGO in Adiyaman and for U.S. standing there shows that in many regions of Turkey it is possible to get a bang for our PD buck. GREEN