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  • International Day of the Girl Conference,
    October 8, 2026, Istanbul

DATEOctober 8, 2026
CONCEPT“Empowered Girls Empowered Futures”
Please click for Girl Child International Conference Book

A Meaningful Day for Girls

As a result of advocacy efforts from Turkey, Canada and Peru, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl to end discrimination against girls and to fully and effectively ensure the human rights of girls.

The purpose of the International Day of the Girl, which has been observed annually since 2012, matches the goals and activities of Aydın Doğan Foundation. Therefore, we are proudly hosting the International Day of the Girl Conference to raise public awareness about this matter and to form the basis of the Foundation's activities.

The Aim of the International Day of the Girl Conference

Fully aware of their corporate social responsibilities, Doğan Group and Aydın Doğan Foundation advocate for gender equality in society and to this end have undertaken important initiatives to empower women educationally and socially.

At Aydın Doğan Foundation, we carry out a series of activities related to girls' empowerment for gender equality. On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl, which has been celebrated by the United Nations for fourteen years, we are organizing this year's twelve conference with the theme “Empowered Girls Empowered Futures” is an important part of our program.

The Conference, which will be held on October 8, 2026, aims to draw attention to the International Day of the Girl and raise awareness on the empowerment of girls.

Conference Programme

  • International Day of the Girl
    8 October 2026
    Istanbul
  • Theme: “Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures”
  • 09.00–09.30Registration and Exhibition of Inspiring Projects
  • 09.30–09.35Welcome
    Yekta Kopan, Master of Ceremonies
  • 09.35–09.45Opening Address
    Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, President, Aydın Doğan Foundation
  • 09.45–10.25Welcome Session
    Yekta Kopan, Moderator
    Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, President, Aydın Doğan Foundation
    Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Representative to Türkiye
    Maryse Guimond, UN Women Türkiye Country Director
    Zeynep Başarankut Kan, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Türkiye
  • 10.25–10.40In Conversation: Paths Change, Courage Remains
    Yekta Kopan, Moderator
    Vuslat Doğan, President, V Foundation
  • 10.40–11.15Project Conversations over Coffee
  • 11.15–12.00Panel: Changing Tomorrow
    Yekta Kopan, Moderator
    Ceren Edebali — “Let Me Ask My Big Sister” Project
    Deniz İlknur Köker — “Imagine, Build, Lead” Project
    Nehir Batçıoğlu — “Girls of Science” Project
    Serra İspiroğlu — “A Journey Through Health Taboos” Project
    Sevgi Kaleli — “Purple Guide” Project
    Sevmen Sarı — “Women's and Children's Rights” Project
  • 12.00–12.50Panel: Growing Our Impact Together
    Şeyma Sağınç, Moderator
    Cemile Ece — Eskişehir Community and Arts Association
    Dilara Gümüş — Konuşmamız Gerek Association
    Esra Köylüoğlu — Kodluyoruz
    Mehmet Çolak — Malatya YADER
  • 12.50–13.30Lunch
  • 13.30–15.30Parallel Workshops
    Workshop 1 | Our PathFor young people and students
    What does being empowered mean to you? What kind of future do you imagine? What needs to change for everyone to participate equally in all areas of life? In this workshop, you will draw on your own experiences and ideas to discuss your needs with other young people, give shape to your shared hopes, and write the opening lines of the Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures Manifesto.

    13.30–13.50 — Getting to Know Each Other and Looking at Today
    13.50–14.00 — Different Stories
    14.00–14.40 — Charting Our Path Together
    14.40–15.10 — What Kind of Future Do We Want?
    15.10–15.30 — Writing Our Manifesto
    Workshop 2 | From Needs to CollaborationFor civil society organisations, public institutions, private sector representatives, funding organisations and other stakeholders
    Who can do what, and how, to help young women overcome the barriers they face? This workshop will bring people from different sectors around the same table to share their experiences, needs and expectations. Together, we will discuss projects, social responsibility initiatives and ways to secure resources. We will explore how stakeholders can support one another, then turn the ideas that emerge into practical proposals and first steps we can take together.

    13.30–13.50 — Exploring the Ecosystem
    13.50–14.15 — Bringing Experiences to the Table
    14.15–14.40 — Identifying Needs Together
    14.40–15.15 — Finding Solutions Together
    15.15–15.30 — Taking the First Step