AMBER, the new mobile application designed by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Türkiye, to inform, support and empower women in the field of health and protection, was launched to the press on 11 April in Istanbul. The press launch took place with the co-hosting of UNFPA and Honorary Ambassador, successful actress Songül Öden and UNFPA Türkiye Honorary Ambassador Edis Görgülü’s participation.
Istanbul, TURKEY - The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Türkiye, which has been supporting this fight for the empowerment of women and to end all forms of gender-based violence for more than 50 years, has developed a new project additional to existing ones in this field and developed a mobile application for women.
AMBER, which offers all relevant information, support, guidance, and much more, in 5 languages (Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Kurdish, English) for the first time in the field of fighting against gender-based violence, was launched to the press with the hosting of UNFPA Türkiye and Honorary Ambassador, successful actress Songül Öden, and with the participation of UNFPA Türkiye Honorary Ambassador Edis Görgülü on 11 April at The Seed, Istanbul.
In the event, which was held with the participation of embassies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, women's organizations, the private sector and the art world and with the moderation of UNFPA Türkiye Communications Analyst Zeynep Atılgan, it was discussed how the idea of AMBER emerged, how it will support women and how it will contribute to women's health and fighting against gender-based violence.
Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Türkiye Representative, who made the opening speech of the event, said that for the last 50 years, UNFPA has been raising awareness for the rights and needs of women and girls, mobilizing people and resources, strengthening services and supporting remedial legal and political reforms in Türkiye. He said: “We aim to support and empower more women and girls with innovative approaches like AMBER.”
Selma Acuner, International Relations Coordinator of the Women's Coalition, one of the women's organizations supporting AMBER's development process explained how AMBER can support the fight against violence against women through the eyes of civil society. Acuner said: “AMBER will respond to an important need in the field and will support the work of women's organizations working in this field. Women who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence will be able to access information, support and contact points nearby through a single platform.”
Carl Spychal, Head of Economy and Prosperity of UK Türkiye Network, speaking on behalf of the British Embassy, which provided financial support while the first seeds of AMBER application were planted, said that they were happy to support this important innovation as part of the UK’s policies to empower women and girls and fighting against gender-based violence.
In the last part of the launch event, co-host of the event, UNFPA Türkiye Honorary Ambassador, successful actress Songül Öden started her speech by saying; “I wish I could talk about love, art and literature and associate women with these issues. However, there are still many issues that we need to unite against and fight together, so we need to continue with our efforts.” She added; “The mobile application AMBER is a product of this struggle and solidarity. When women download this application, they will see that many women need the same information and support, that they are not helpless, what they can do to get out of the situation they are in and where and how they can apply. With AMBER, we will better understand that we are not alone,”
After her speech, Songül Öden invited UNFPA Türkiye Honorary Ambassador, artist Edis Görgülü, who also attended the event, to the stage. Saying that he believes AMBER will be very effective in the fight against gender-based violence, Görgülü added that he can inform his audience of this application at his concerts in order to increase the use of the application and added; “We have one common problem, one common goal, and I hope we will continue to work together for this purpose.”
At the event, participants were also invited to participate in the Butterfly Effect initiated by UNFPA for the dissemination of AMBER. Participants were asked to download the AMBER label from UNFPA Türkiye’s website, send it to the women around them, print and paste the sticker where women can see it. The event ended with the call; “Let's create a Butterfly Effect together so that more women can be informed, empowered and able to reach the closest support as quickly as possible with AMBER!”
You can also meet AMBER by downloading it from Google and Apple Store and start exploring right away!
Click to watch our launch event!
