The Joint Programme on “Strengthening Rights and Conditions of Women in Prisons in Türkiye in line with International and EU Standards” is co-funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the Council of Europe.

 The duration of the programme is 45 months, namely between 1 January 2026 and 31 September 2029. The total budget is 4 444 450 EUR.

What is the goal and objective of the programme?

The programme aims to strengthen the protection of and further advance women’s rights within the penitentiary system in Türkiye. It also seeks to improve prison conditions for women prisoners in Türkiye while respecting their human rights through the implementation of gender sensitive and human rights-based prison management policies and practices, in line with the international standards and best EU practices. The programme will also strengthen the economic and social rehabilitation of women prisoners and probationers to facilitate their reintegration into society.

Who benefits from the programme?

 Beneficiary: Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses (DGPDH) of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

 Final Beneficiary: Women prisoners and juveniles (girls aged between 12-18), including vulnerable groups (women with children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, Roma, foreign prisoners, etc) and women probationers.

 Primary Target Groups: Staff of the DGPDH at central and local levels; prison management, staff, and multi-disciplinary teams of the pilot prisons (8 women’s and 2 mixed prisons) including healthcare staff.

 Secondary Target Groups: Ministry of National Education (MoNE), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), Ministry of Industry and Technology, Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation (KOSGEB), Regional Development Agencies, Civil Monitoring Boards (CMBs), Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Civil Society

Expected outputs of the programme

 Development and implementation of an integrated model of gender-sensitive and human rights-based prison management
 Improvement of the institutional framework and the capacities of penitentiary staff on gender-sensitive prison management
 Improvement of multi-sectoral cooperation between public (central, regional and local) institutions, the private sector and civil society on the rehabilitation and reintegration of women prisoners
 Strengthening the economic and social rehabilitation of women offenders and probationers in pilot prisons and probation directorates 

Programme Team

 Ms Ezgi Koçak - Project Manager: 
+90 312 468 84 64 / 1403

 Ms Dicle Okan – Senior Project Officer:
+90 312 468 84 64 / TBC

 Ms Nihal Zemheri Günay - Project Linguistic Assistant
+90 312 468 84 64 / 1435

 Ms Hazal Çetin - Project Assistant:
+90 312 468 84 64 / 1429

About The Project

Project News

Assessment Mission Reviews the Needs of Women in Prisons in Türkiye

Deadline Extension Call for Tender: Purchase of National Consultancy Services in the field of strengthening women’s rights within the penitentiary system in Türkiye within the scope of EU-CoE Joint Programme on “Strengthening Rights and Conditions of Women in Prisons in Türkiye in line with International and EU Standards”

European Union–Council of Europe Joint Programme Launched to Strengthen the Rights of Women in Prisons in Türkiye

Call for Tender: Purchase of National Consultancy Services in the field of strengthening women’s rights within the penitentiary system in Türkiye within the scope of EU-CoE Joint Programme on “Strengthening Rights and Conditions of Women in Prisons in Türkiye in line with International and EU Standards”

Project Publications

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