Türkiye hosts more than 3,5 million refugees, 263 thousand being under international protection status including Ukrainian and Afghan refugees. With the support of the Government of Japan and the partnership of YAHA (Youth Approaches to Health Association/Y-PEER Turkiye) and Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (SGDD-ASAM), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Türkiye continues to collaborate to support the most vulnerable women and young people and raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.
Ankara-Antalya, Türkiye - Türkiye hosts the largest number of refugees in the world. Alongside the Syrian refugees under temporary protection, there are also a remarkable number of refugees from other nationalities, most of which consist of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees. Now living in an unfamiliar country, barriers caused by the differences in language, culture, laws, regulations and systems limit their ability to seek support as these barriers constrain their access to rights and services.
In the uncertain landscape of displacement, accessing essential information and navigating unfamiliar systems is a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to sensitive matters like sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV). Recognizing this need, UNFPA Türkiye, with valuable funding from the Government of Japan and in collaboration with YAHA and SGDD-ASAM, implemented a crucial project in Türkiye to empower Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
The initiative focused on equipping refugees with vital knowledge and access to support mechanisms and services related to SRH and GBV. Through targeted awareness raising sessions, the project addressed critical issues such as:
SRH Information: Ensuring access to services and information on adolescent health, menstrual hygiene management, family planning, pregnancy follow-ups, well-being and basic health information. The project clarifies myths, raises awareness, elaborates on Turkish healthcare systems, and connects participants with relevant facilities.
Prevention of GBV: Identification, response and reporting GBV can be vital and particularly difficult in unfamiliar environments. The project provides Afghan and Ukrainian refugees to identify any type of violence, understand their legal and social rights, and access essential support mechanisms such as KADES and other services.
Youth Inclusion: In the project, we work for young people, with young people to ensure youth involvement and support interventions that address their needs. Engaging and including young people helps identify their needs, support informed choices and become advocates for their peers. The project utilizes youth-friendly approaches and peer-to-peer education to create a safe space for open conversations and knowledge sharing.
By building bridges between refugees, healthcare providers, and support networks, UNFPA's initiative with the support of the Government of Japan and in partnership with YAHA and SGDD-ASAM aims to ensure more resilience and awareness in Türkiye. It empowers those who have faced displacement to reclaim control over their health and well-being, paving the way for a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
