Overview
The UN's International Day of the Girl recognizes girls' rights and global challenges. In 2023, its 11th year, I led the collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, and the Aydın Doğan Foundation to aid adolescent girls affected by the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye.
Facilitating workshops in affected zones in eastern Türkiye, I gathered their needs, dreams and aspirations for equitable recovery. From these, I crafted a powerful manifesto, presented by youth during a widely-publicized event on the UN Day of the Girl Child, 11th October 2023
Client
UNICEF Türkiye
Role
Design Lead
Year
2023
Duration
7 Weeks
Team
A senior facilitator and illustrator
Design Challenge
What emerging needs of youth should be considered when rebuilding earthquake-affected cities in an equitable and resilient way?
Workshops
As the project lead with facilitation expertise, my intent was to create a secure and empowering environment for youth to discuss sensitive issues and reimagine their future. Teaming with another facilitator, I conducted 5 workshops in 5 earthquake zones, engaging over 80 participants from diverse backgrounds, in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPR, and UN Women.
Through empathy exercises, we built safety and trust in the group. Using persona building and needs mapping, participants perspective shifted from being challenged by negative experiences to actively voicing and owning their ideas. Creative ideation activities produced innovative solutions empowering youth for their futures, relationships, and cities.
Manifesto
We synthesized pain points, ideas, and voices on post-its to harvest all team outputs. Common themes and shared challenges, along with ideas, formed principles for equitable recovery. Each statement was crafted from participants' unique words and ideas, defining expected solutions from local and governmental authorities and expressing desired roles as active collaborators.
6 statements ranged from building learning environment, to cultural-sports activities, to active civic engagement. Select principles are as below:
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Break down the taboos for our physical health and well-being.
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Our contribution to society tomorrow depends on our circumstances today.
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Make our voices heard - we all have a voice and a role to play for our cities.
Impact
The manifesto, voiced by youth representatives at the official International Day of the Girl event in Gaziantep, was communicated widely through national news platforms.
The full statement and our detailed report are shared with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Family and Social Services, and local municipalities of affected cities.
You can watch the event here.
