UNFPA Türkiye, in collaboration with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has introduced the “She Can Plan” campaign. This initiative was unveiled at the Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Istanbul, aiming to create an environment where women can fully control their bodies, lives, and futures. The event gathered voices from various sectors, emphasizing the critical need for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The launch event featured opening remarks from prominent figures including Ayşe Böhürler, MP and Representative of the Turkish Parliament Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men; Joep Wijnands, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Türkiye; Mariam A. Khan, UNFPA Türkiye Representative; and actress Aslı İnandık, a passionate supporter of UNFPA Türkiye. Each speaker highlighted different facets of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and the importance of collective action.
Joep Wijnands stressed the persistent issue of gender disparity, calling for a united effort to ensure women and girls have the right to make their own choices. “Together we are able to support the rights of choices of women and girls to decide for themselves. Together we can secure a more peaceful and sustainable future for all,” he stated.
Mariam A. Khan underscored the necessity of empowering women through education and economic independence. “We need to accelerate, we need to do more, we need to do better and we need to do it more together. So that she can plan, she can plan her education, she can plan her career, she can plan her family,” she asserted.
Ayşe Böhürler highlighted the ongoing challenges women face despite governmental efforts towards gender equality. “As a female politician, what I care about the most is strengthening the education of girls. The more education we give them, the more they are encouraged to take an equal and fair place in society,” she said.
Actress Aslı İnandık added her voice to the campaign, emphasizing the need for women to have control over their lives. “Today, on this floor, I add my voice to Şirin’s voice and even to the voices of all women, and I repeat it loudly once again; #SheCanPlan!” she declared.
The event included a vibrant flash-mob acapella performance by the ITU Musical Ensemble, adding a creative touch to the campaign’s message. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by journalist Afşin Yurdakul, featuring experts from various fields who discussed how different sectors can contribute to advancing women’s health and rights.
UNFPA Türkiye continues to advocate for gender equality and reproductive rights, urging everyone to transform words into actions. The organization encourages the public to support the campaign using the hashtags #KadınPlanlayabilir and #SheCanPlan on social media.