Şehnaz Kıymaz Bahçeci

Şehnaz Kıymaz Bahçeci is a leading feminist advocate, strategist, and convener who bridges the gap between grassroots activism and global policymaking. For over two decades, she has been a driving force in civil society, working to fortify international human rights frameworks and ensure that multilateral processes are accountable to the women and communities they exist to serve.

At the forefront of global advocacy, Şehnaz most recently coordinated the Women's Major Group, an official United Nations stakeholder network.  In this pivotal role from 2020 to 2024, she navigated complex multilateral arenas, convening hundreds of feminist organizations from around the world to collectively influence the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her leadership was instrumental in shaping civil society's response and holding member states accountable to their gender equality commitments. She is a respected expert in building and sustaining powerful, inclusive multistakeholder partnerships.  

Şehnaz's global perspective is deeply rooted in her long-standing national and regional activism in Türkiye. Since 2004, she has been integral to the work of Women for Women's Human Rights (WWHR) - New Ways, contributing as a professional staff member, volunteer, and Board Member (2013-2018 and 2025 - Present). This extensive experience informs her nuanced understanding of international conventions, particularly CEDAW and the Istanbul Convention, and the critical importance of translating international norms into local realities.

Her work is further distinguished by a sharp focus on understanding and countering anti-rights and anti-gender movements. She was among the founders for two important regional coalitions to resist antigender pushback, United4IstanbulConvention and Holding the Line Coalition. With a strong academic foundation—including a Master's in Gender and Women's Studies from Middle East Technical University and a dual-major undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College—Şehnaz combines theoretical rigor with practical strategy. As a former instructor at Istanbul Bilgi University, she co-developed the curriculum for and taught the innovative online course "Gender in Everyday Life," demonstrating her commitment to making feminist knowledge accessible. Sehnaz also developed and delivered many workshops and trainings, with particular emphasis on feminist facilitation and moderation practices. 

Şehnaz brings this unique synthesis of global coordination, grassroots conviction, skilled feminist facilitation and moderation skills, and academic insight to her role at the Feminist Diplomacy Lab, driving its mission to embed genuine feminist principles into the core of international affairs.

Areas of Expertise

  • Feminist Advocacy & Movement Building

  • UN & Multilateral Processes (esp. SDGs)

  • Civil Society Inclusion & Coordination

  • International Women's Human Rights Law (CEDAW, Istanbul Convention)

  • Countering Anti-Rights & Anti-Gender Movements

  • Gender-Based Violence Prevention

  • Multistakeholder Partnership Development

  • Curriculum Development & Online Education

  • Feminist Moderation & Facilitation

Some examples from Sehnaz‘s previous work:

Damjan Denkovski is a distinguished advocate and strategist dedicated to embedding intersectional human rights within global policy. With a decade of experience spanning peacebuilding, development, and conflict transformation, his work is centered on forging solidarity and ensuring that policymaking is shaped by the diverse voices and lived realities of those most affected by global challenges.

As an Independent Consultant, Damjan partners with international organizations, civil society groups, and academic institutions to advance agendas on gender equality, LGBTIQ+ rights, and disarmament. His approach is rooted in the conviction that sustainable peace and security can only be achieved by challenging traditional power structures and amplifying marginalized perspectives.

Until March 2024, Damjan served as the Deputy Executive Director at the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, where he headed the programmes on Human Rights and Feminist Development Policy.

Damjan's expertise is built on a powerful combination of rigorous research, participatory training, and strategic organizational development. He excels at translating complex policy issues into accessible, actionable strategies for activists and practitioners on the ground. His work is deeply informed by his grassroots activism in North Macedonia and the wider Balkan region, where he has contributed significantly to advancing the rights and visibility of the LGBTIQ+ community.

At the Feminist Diplomacy Lab, Damjan channels this wealth of experience into co-creating a space where feminist principles are not just discussed, but actively applied to reshape the future of international relations.

Areas of Expertise

  • Feminist Foreign Policy & Diplomacy

  • Intersectional Human Rights Analysis

  • Qualitative Research

  • Gender-Responsive Disarmament & Arms Control

  • Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation

  • Development Cooperation

  • LGBTIQ+ Rights Advocacy

  • Programme Management & Delivery

  • Participatory Training & Capacity Building

  • Organizational Development

Some examples from Damjan‘s previous work:

  • Funding (in)equality? A comparative look at the funding landscape for pro-and anti-gender initiatives and campaigns in the European Union (EU). 2021. Co-author.

  • Power Over Rights: Understanding and countering the transnational anti-gender movement- Volume 2. 2021. Co-author. 

  • Power Over Rights: Understanding and countering the transnational anti-gender movement - Volume 1. 2021. Co-author.

  • SOGI Webinar. Fighting Disinformation. 2023. Speaker. 

  • Berghof Glossary on Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding. Inclusivity and Participation Chapter. 2019. Co-author. 

Damjan Denkovski