NEWS

The event, "Strong Women, Safe Societies: Building a Future Without Violence," aimed at raising awareness about combating violence against women and highlighting women's empowerment in societal transformation, was hosted by the Nişantaşı Education Foundation at Istanbul Nişantaşı University's NeoTech Campus on November 28, 2024.

The event was organized to address the prevention of violence against women and promote women's empowerment in social, economic, legal, and cultural spheres. The program began with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, followed by opening remarks from Istanbul Nişantaşı University Rector, Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu. Highlighting the roles al individuals play in combating violence against women, Prof. Dr. Çıtıpıtıoğlu stated, "By attending this meeting, you are showing your support for the efforts led by our state." Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services, Leman Yenigün, then detailed state policies and practices regarding the issue, emphasizing the ministry's collaboration with academia. She concluded her remarks by thanking Istanbul Nişantaşı University for its contributions to the event.

Panels during the event discussed the chalenges women face in societal domains and the roles individuals, institutions, and the state must assume to overcome these chalenges. The effectiveness of government policies, legal regulations, and individual responsibilities was evaluated.

In the first panel, the presence of women in public spaces and the impact of state policies in combating violence against women were discussed. Panelists included FSMVU Social Studies Application Center Director and KADEM Board Member Assoc. Dr. Zeynep Kevser Danışoğlu, television producer Esra Erol, Üsküdar University Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, and AK Party Istanbul MP Büşra Paker.

Assoc. Dr. Zeynep Kevser Danışoğlu stressed the importance of collaborative efforts against inequalities, highlighting the political nature of women’s studies. Prof. Dr. Edibe Sözen expressed optimism about the youth resolving issues of violence against women, while AK Party MP and General Directorate of Information and Communication Technologies Deputy Chair Büşra Paker pointed out that violence often extends beyond physical forms to psychological, economic, and digital domains.

Television producer Esra Erol noted the increasing sense of loneliness in a digitalized world, underlining her initiative with the slogan "You Are Not Alone, I Am Here." Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak referred to UN data, emphasizing the regions whr violence against women is most prevalent, such as Africa, South Asia, and Oceania. Maltepe University Rector Prof. Dr. Edibe Sözen stated, "As a nation that once spread justice to the world, we must be aware of our mission."

The second panel focused on women’s roles in economic, cultural, and legal fields, offering solutions and awareness campaigns against societal norms that perpetuate violence. Panelists included entrepreneur and activist Leyla Alaton, artist and women’s studies expert Prof. Dr. Mehtap Demir Güven, lawyer and TV consultant Av. Pınar Kandemir Hacıbektaşoğlu, European Development Agencies Association Board Member Özgül Özkan Yavuz, and artist Aydilge Sarp.

Former Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Özgül Özkan Yavuz emphasized the need for equality between men and women in acquired rights. Prof. Dr. Mehtap Demir Güven stressed the importance of developing tools within cultural structures to promote recovery. Entrepreneur Leyla Alaton encouraged young people to fully commit to their professions. Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu highlighted the critical importance of mutual support among women in the business world.

Lawyer Pınar Kandemir Hacıbektaşoğlu stated that violence should be assessed not only in the context of women but also more broadly, as perspectives focused solely on "violence against women" fal short. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Yeşim Yeşer Özer Yürür noted the similarities in chalenges faced by women across different regions. Artist Aydilge Sarp drew attention to the lack of female songwriters and composers, emphasizing the importance of women telling their own stories.

With the aim of contributing to societal transformation and raising awareness at both individual and institutional levels to end violence against women, this event brought together prominent figures from the fields of business, arts, and academia, such as Ayşe Cevahir, Elif Cevahir Tuzlakoğlu, Nilhan Değer, Sevinç Sancak, Sare Aydın, Hacer Özil, and Zeynep Görmezoğlu. The event concluded successfully with significant participation from Istanbul Nişantaşı University academics, student clubs, and students.