The Istanbul Foundation conducted a research titled 'Istanbul from the Voices of University Young Women', and its findings were shared with the public at a meeting held at the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA). The research reveals that a large majority of young women in the city face significant challenges in public spaces.
Stated they cannot move comfortably in the city at night.
Approximately half of the participants stated they do not feel free in public spaces (some sources specify 45%). A significant portion of participants select their clothing based on where they are going and take extra precautions when going out at night.
The research sample consisted of young women staying in İBB dormitories and//or being/having been scholarship recipients of 'Büyüt Hayallerini' (Grow Your Dreams), as well as their university-aged social circles. The field research was conducted with 417 young women.
Among the participants, 44% stay in İBB dormitories, 26% in KYK (Credit and Dormitories Institution) dormitories, and 14% with their families. While 60% want to continue living in Istanbul after graduation, only 36% believe they can find a job in the city.
Live on a monthly budget of 20,000 TL or less, excluding housing expenses.
Approximately half of the participants could not attend any culture-arts event with their own means in the last six months, excluding İBB and Istanbul Foundation events (one source specifies 45%). One in every two participants experiences problems of security, livelihood, and lack of belonging simultaneously.
Housing and Economic Pressures
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ece Öztan, the number of students in Istanbul is increasing, but housing capacity is insufficient. Between 2023 and 2024, there were 800,000 students. The rate of KYK meeting the housing needs of female students remains between 19% and 23%, while private dormitory prices are expected to increase by 53% between 2025 and 2026.
The difference between public dormitories and private dormitories is between 13% and 32%. Öztan also stated that the average cost of living in Istanbul is in the 50,000-60,000 TL band. Additionally, 72% of women in the city change two vehicles to reach university.
Political and Social Participation
80% of participants believe that the voices of young women are not heard in political processes, and 70% do not feel free to express themselves on political and social issues. While 74% stated that local government decisions affect their lives, 63% express their voices most through social media. Only 5.8% use direct communication channels with local government.
The 'We Are With You in Istanbul' support model was introduced to aim to meet the housing, education, urban life adaptation, and social support needs of young women starting university education in Istanbul. The model aims to reach at least 5,000 young female students in areas ranging from housing to book support. The Istanbul Foundation has provided scholarship support to 8,000 women through its 'Büyüt Hayalleri' project to date.
We want to contribute to a more accessible, more just and more inclusive Istanbul.
The research findings were presented by the Istanbul Foundation Social Impact and Inclusion Consultant Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ece Öztan. Since 2022, the proportion of female university students in Turkey has exceeded the proportion of male students, and in the 25-34 age group, the rate of female university graduates has increased more than fourfold since 2008. İBB Deputy Mayor Yiğit Oğuz Duman noted that since 2019, the percentage of female employees in the İBB has increased from 12% to 24%, and the number of female managers has increased from 10% to 30%.