Socio-cultural aktivities for woman in local goverment Antalya Kepez district example

This study aims to analyze the scope, functionality, and societal impact of sociocultural activities organized by local governments for women. The research focuses on Kepez district, located in Antalya, Türkiye, and investigates the perceptions, levels of participation, and expectations of women regarding local government services. At the core of this study are issues such as how the notion of social municipalism is embodied in services for women, the extent to which gender equality is addressed in municipal strategic plans, and the effectiveness of activities aimed at enhancing women's participation in social life. The data collection process was conducted between December 2024 and March 2025 through in-depth interviews with female participants exclusively. The sample group was determined using snowball and simple random sampling methods, and a total of 30 participants were interviewed face-to-face, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. The interview form consisted of three main sections: demographic information, definitions and assessments regarding sociocultural services for women, and evaluations of the services provided by Kepez Municipality. Most participants emphasized that activities such as vocational training courses, women's counseling centers, social events, and employment support programs provided by the municipality yield both economic and psychosocial benefits for women. The findings indicate that while the variety of services for women at the local level has increased quantitatively, certain qualitative deficiencies persist. Particularly at the neighborhood level, problems such as limited access to services, insufficient dissemination of information, and lack of continuity in service provision have been identified. However, the study also finds that sociocultural services encouraging women's active participation in social life contribute positively to the promotion of gender equality. Overall, the study concludes that local governments should adopt needs-based, participatory, and sustainable policies in the development and implementation of sociocultural services for women.