Gender Equality MARCH 2020 Gender Equality | Page 13

Regional Boarding Primary Schools is a practice initiated in the early years of the Republic which,
bearing in mind the general culture structure in South Eastern and Eastern Anatolia Regions where a
large number of girls do not attend school ensures the attendance of girls to schools. Along with
formal education systems, non-formal education systems also exist in our Country. The high number
and variety of the training activities for women is noteworthy within the scope of non-formal
education which aims at providing the individuals with information, skills and profession as well as
individual-societal development. In addition to Ministry of National Education (MEB)’s non-formal
education activities being carried out through vocational and technical schools/institutions, a great
many of non-governmental organizations provide voluntary courses for women on literacy, skill and
profession acquisition. In addition, the municipalities also organize similar courses. Southeast
Anatolian Project (GAP) Administration’s Multi-Purpose Community Centers (ÇATOM) and
Community Centers affiliated to the General Directorate of Social Services & Child Protection
(SHÇEK) undertake similar activities. “Public Training Centers” of MEB stands as the widest
organization in Turkey as far as non-formal education is concerned.
These Training Centers provide “Vocational Technical Training, Social Cultural Courses and Literacy
Courses”. Aiming at increasing women literacy, the “Mother and Daughter in School” Campaign was
launched by MEB in 2008 under the sponsorship of a public bank. This campaign targets to teach
how to read and write to 3 million illiterate women in 4 years. 9 Health Health services in Turkey are
met through the basic health services system, regulated in accordance with the current law adopted
in 1961, as well as through the Law on “Family Planning” which took effect for the first time ever in
1965 and was amended later on for further comprehensiveness. Health Services were expanded to
the whole society with the Law on “Socialization of Health Services” adopted in 1961. Within the
scope of this law, health services are being provided by giving a priority to important health
problems and disadvantaged groups (women and children) through first level health facilities
established in easy public access locations. There is no gender discrimination in rendering such
services, and there is even a particular attention provided to women since reproductive health
problems are particularly high. As far as the health sector is concerned, there are many important
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