F Dilek Yurdakul | 2024 | Women By Women

For the 2024 exhibition, F Dilek Yurdakul collaborated with Syrian women living in Türkiye who had fled conflict, detention and violence in their home country.

She focused on two women-led organisations founded by Syrian refugee women, Kareemat and Freedom Jasmine, and the work they were doing to help other women refugees with vocational training, legal advice and mental health support.

Naime arrived in Gaziantep in 2019 after fleeing the conflict in Syria. She first sought advice from Freedom Jasmine after finding out her 17-year-old brother had been arrested and detained by the Syrian regime.

Naime attended sessions to document what was happening to him and eventually joined the organisation as a volunteer. Now, she teaches women to design and make clothes so they can sell them and become financially independent. Like most refugees in Türkiye, Naime has temporary protection rather than full refugee status. This means she cannot leave Gaziantep for any reason.

Najlaa came to Türkiye with her family after barrel bombings devasted her home in Syria in 2012. At first, they struggled to find shelter, but thanks to the kindness of strangers, they were able to move into a house. From there, she built Kareemat, which has grown into a leading organisation, providing a safe space for women and supporting them to become economically empowered. The most important thing for Najlaa is that women have a home away from home where they can talk, feel safe and learn new skills.

In 2014, Yasmina was released from detention by the Syrian regime. Her brother, who was detained at the same time, sadly did not survive. So, Yasmina came to Türkiye determined to bring him justice.

She founded Freedom Jasmine to help other women refugees who were also survivors of the regime or had relatives who were detained. Through the organisation, Yasmina has created a community of women who can come together, share their experiences and access a range of support services.

Discover the stories of inspirational women and the talent of women photographers in our previous Women By Women exhibitions.