Kadem

What Kadem does

KADEM (Kadın ve Demokrasi Derneği — Women and Democracy Association) is a Turkish civil society organization founded on March 8, 2013, in Istanbul, to advocate for women's rights and gender equality within a framework of social justice, human dignity, and family-centered approaches. Operating as a registered public-benefit association (kamu yararına çalışan dernek), KADEM serves women and girls across Turkey through 58 provincial representative offices, a dedicated youth wing (Genç KADEM) active in 50 universities, and a network of 32 supported women cooperatives. Its direct beneficiaries include women facing gender-based violence, women entrepreneurs, university students, and women in earthquake-affected regions (Kahramanmaraş and Hatay).

The organization's core programs include the İnovasyonda Kadın (Women in Innovation) entrepreneurship program (running 9 consecutive years since 2015, with 2,000+ applications and 30 awardees founding their own companies); the Kadın Destek Merkezi (Women's Support Center) reaching 11,000+ women with 628 workshops and 4,950 hours of training; the KADEM Eğitim Bursu scholarship program supporting 1,848 students in 2025-2026 (3,288 cumulatively since 2020, including 432 Palestinian students); the Kadın Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal of Women's Studies); and the annual Kadın ve Adalet Zirvesi (International Women and Justice Summit). KADEM does not operate a technology platform or software product. Its work is centered on human rights advocacy, legal reform monitoring, academic publishing, and field programs for women's empowerment; its "technology" stack consists of informational websites, a bilingual (Turkish-English) web presence, an email newsletter (bülten), and social media accounts.

KADEM's revenue model relies on membership fees and voluntary donations. As a non-profit civil society organization, it is registered as a public-benefit association in Turkey, which grants tax-exempt status and allows it to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. KADEM Vakfı (the foundation arm) holds additional Vergi Muafiyeti Statüsü (Tax Exemption Status) granted by the Council of Ministers on July 24, 2017. Services to beneficiaries (legal aid, counseling, training, scholarships) are provided free of charge. Additional funding comes from program-specific government partnerships — notably Istanbul Development Agency (İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı) for İnovasyonda Kadın, in collaboration with TÜBİTAK Marmara Teknokent, Yıldız Teknopark, Bilişim Vadisi, and KOSGEB. The organization also earns reputational capital via participation in UN CSW, OSCE, UNESCO, ECOSOC, and W20 (G20 Women's Engagement) forums, and holds ECOSOC special consultative status. KADEM achieved EFQM 3-Star Excellence recognition in 2021, becoming the second association in Turkey to receive this rating.

Name

Kadem

Legal name

Kadın ve Demokrasi Derneği

Website

https://kadem.org.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kadem (Kadın ve Demokrasi Derneği) is a Turkish non-governmental organization founded in 2013 that advocates for women's rights and gender equality through 58 provincial offices, an entrepreneurship program, scholarships (1,848 students in 2025-2026), support centers, and international advocacy at UN, OSCE, and UNESCO forums.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Rights Advocacy and Civil Society Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• Women's rights advocacy
• Gender equality programs
• Civil society organization
• Women entrepreneurship support
• Violence prevention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Istanbul

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and donations: KADEM operates as a non-profit civil society organization. Its primary revenue streams are membership fees and voluntary donations. The organization is registered as a 'kamu yararına çalışan dernek' (public-benefit association) in Turkey, which grants it tax-exempt status and allows it to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KADEM is a non-profit civil society organization that advocates for women's rights and gender equality in Turkey through policy research, direct support services (legal aid, counseling, women's support centers), education scholarships, entrepreneurship programs (İnovasyonda Kadın), youth engagement (Genç KADEM), and international advocacy at UN, OSCE, UNESCO, ECOSOC, and W20 forums. All services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through membership dues and donations. The organization operates through 58 provincial representative offices and 50 university clubs across Turkey.

Product overview

Kadem (Kadın ve Demokrasi Derneği / Kadın ve Demokrasi Vakfı) is a Turkish civil society organization advocating for women's rights, gender equality, democracy, and combating violence against women. The organization operates as a platform-plus-programs structure rather than a commercial technology product company. Its core offerings include advocacy and policy work, the İnovasyonda Kadın entrepreneurship program for women, the Kadın Destek Merkezi support center, the annual Kadın ve Adalet Zirvesi (Women and Justice Summit), Genç KADEM youth engagement, the KADEM Eğitim Bursu scholarship program, the Kadın Araştırmaları Dergisi academic journal, KADEM Sanat arts platform, KADEM Vakfı foundation for educational support, and various campaigns against violence. These programs collectively address women's empowerment through training, advocacy, research, and direct support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Genç KADEM: Youth branch of KADEM operating student clubs in 50 universities across 55 provinces
• Kadın Destek Merkezi
• Kadın ve Adalet Zirvesi
• İnovasyonda Kadın
• KADEM Sanat
• KADEM Koopro
• İmzamı Atarım

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,745 women reached through Support Centers for Women; 628 workshops conducted; 4,950 hours of training delivered; 1,498 women received psychological support; 63 women gained employment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• T.C. Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı (Ministry of Family and Social Services of Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM collaborates with the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Services on major initiatives including the Uluslararası Kadın ve Adalet Zirvesi (International Women and Justice Summit), held with the ministry's cooperation. The ministry also supports KADEM programs related to women's shelters, support centers, and legislative advocacy.
• T.C. Gençlik ve Spor Bakanlığı (Ministry of Youth and Sports of Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM partnered with the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the 'Geleneksel Üretimin Genç Gönüllü Elçileri Projesi' (Traditional Production's Young Volunteer Ambassadors Project), which provided training and workshops to 30 young women aged 19-24 from urban backgrounds who had discontinued their education.
• İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı (İstanbul Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with KADEM on the 'İnovasyonda Kadın' (Women in Innovation) project through the Girişimcilik Mali Destek Programı (Entrepreneurship Financial Support Program), providing funding and institutional backing for women entrepreneurs.
• TÜBİTAK Marmara TeknokentcoreTechnology or IntegrationCo-organizer of the 'İnovasyonda Kadın' project, providing access to technology infrastructure, incubation facilities, open office and prototyping workshops for women entrepreneurs selected for the program.
• KOSGEB (Küçük ve Orta Ölçekli İşletmeleri Geliştirme ve Destekleme İdaresi Başkanlığı)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOSGEB partnered with KADEM on the 'İnovasyonda Kadın' project, providing business development support, access to financing programs, and national coordination for women entrepreneurs. KOSGEB has disbursed approximately 407 million TL in credit to 8,000 women entrepreneurs (2019-2021 data cited in KADEM's UN CSW 66 panel).
• Birleşmiş Milletler ECOSOC (UN ECOSOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM holds ECOSOC special consultative status, enabling it to participate in and organize side events at UN forums including the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), contributing to international advocacy on women's rights and gender equality.
• Avrupa Güvenlik ve İş Birliği Teşkilatı (OSCE — Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM's Board Chair Av. Dr. Canan Sarı participated in the OSCE-organized international program on 'Prevention of Torture and Ill-Treatment: Strengthening Cooperation and Implementation' in Vienna, addressing torture prevention, criminal justice processes, and rehabilitation of victims.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM organized a panel at the 20th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee Meeting for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi, presenting on the '(In)visibility of Women in Oral Cultural Heritage, Myths, Legends, Folk Tales.'
• W20 (G20 Women's Engagement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM is a member of the W20 (Women 20), the G20's official women's engagement group, participating in international discussions on women's economic empowerment and gender equality within the G20 framework.
• Yıldız Teknopark (Yıldız Technical University Technopark)coreTechnology or IntegrationCo-organizer of the 'İnovasyonda Kadın' project, providing incubation facilities, open office space, and prototyping workshops for women entrepreneurs.
• Türkiye İhracatçılar Meclisi (Turkish Exporters Assembly)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'İnovasyonda Kadın' project, providing market access, export guidance, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
• Üsküdar Belediyesi (Üsküdar Municipality)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'İnovasyonda Kadın' project, providing local government support and resources for women entrepreneurs.
• İskenderun Technical University (İSTE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Stronger Tomorrows, Stronger Women' project following the February 6, 2023 earthquakes. The university's Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department provided its application kitchen for the project's closing program, where earthquake-affected women showcased their culinary skills.
• Hatay Mustafa Kemal University (HMKÜ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the earthquake recovery project, providing academic support and venue for the 'Stronger Tomorrows, Stronger Women' program serving earthquake-affected women in Hatay.
• Kahramanmaraş İstiklal UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the earthquake recovery project, supporting vocational training for women affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş.
• Doha International Family Institute (DIFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM co-organized a panel at DIFI on 'Protecting Families in War and Conflict: Policy and Programme Interventions' during the 2nd World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar (November 2025).
• Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM participated in a SESRIC-organized side event (with OIC Permanent Observer Mission) on 'The Circle of Care: Families Supporting the Young, the Old, and All in Need' at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
• Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM participated in an ICYF-organized program on 'Youth-Focused Solutions to Advance Social Development' at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha, contributing perspectives on youth empowerment and social development.
• Bukhara Technical University (Uzbekistan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM supported the International Conference on 'State Policies Based on Strengthening the Family,' hosted by Bukhara Technical University in Uzbekistan. KADEM contributed on women's rights within human rights, social justice approaches, and policy recommendations for strengthening women and the family.
• Istanbul Commerce UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the International Conference on 'State Policies Based on Strengthening the Family,' organized in partnership with Bukhara Technical University and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Habitat Association (Habitat Derneği): Turkish civil society organization focused on youth empowerment, sustainable development, and policy advocacy. Comparable to KADEM/Genç KADEM in operating youth engagement programs across Turkey and engaging in multilateral forums.
• Türkiye Kadın Dernekleri Federasyonu: Federation of women's associations in Turkey coordinating civil society on women's rights. Operates as an umbrella for grassroots women's organizations, paralleling KADEM's role as a platform-plus-direct-services model in the women's-rights NGO space.
• KA.DER (Kadın Adayları Destekleme ve Eğitme Derneği): Turkish NGO focused on increasing women's political participation and leadership. Comparable to KADEM in operating as a women's advocacy membership organization across multiple Turkish provinces, with similar education and advocacy program models.
• Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV): Independent think tank producing policy research on social, economic, and gender issues in Turkey. Comparable to KADEM's research arm (Journal of Women's Studies) and policy advocacy function, operating at national scale with international networks.
• Mor Çatı Kadın Sığınağı Vakfı: One of Turkey's most prominent women's rights NGOs, operating a women helpline, shelters, and advocacy for violence-against-women survivors. Directly comparable to KADEM's Kadın Destek Merkezi function, though on a smaller and more secular/profeminist platform.

Broad incumbents

• UNDP Turkey: UN agency operating in Turkey with programs on women's economic empowerment and inclusive growth. Relevant peer given KADEM's overlap in entrepreneurship, education scholarships, and post-earthquake recovery work targeting women.
• UN Women (UN Entity for Gender Equality): Global UN body coordinating gender equality work and supporting national programs. As a peer, relevant because KADEM holds ECOSOC consultative status and regularly interfaces with UN Women at CSW and similar forums.

Others

• ILO Office in Turkey: International organization supporting women's labor force participation and entrepreneurship. Relevant peer given KADEM's 'İnovasyonda Kadın' entrepreneurship program and ties to KOSGEB/TÜBİTAK partner ecosystem.

Emerging players

• UNHCR Turkey (Refugee Programs): Works on refugee women's protection and inclusion in Turkey. Emerging adjacency for KADEM's mandate given the organization's broad women's-rights focus and presence in provinces with refugee populations.

Regional players

• Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı - Kadının Statüsü Genel Müdürlüğü: Turkish government directorate-general for women's status, a core KADEM partner and the national policy counterpart in implementing services for women in Turkey. A peer in the sense that both operate as national platforms addressing the same beneficiary groups.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kademorgtr
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kademorgtr

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kadem