“Strong Women, Safe Societies: Building a Future without Violence” Held at NeoTech Campus

The “Strong Women, Safe Societies: Building a Future without Violence” event, aiming to raise awareness in the fight against violence against women and emphasise women’s strength in social transformation, was held at İstanbul Nişantaşı University NeoTech Campus on 28 November 2024, hosted by the Nişantaşı Education Foundation.

The event aimed to prevent violence against women and empower women socially, economically, legally and culturally. Following a moment of silence and the national anthem, the programme began with a speech by Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu. Emphasising the role of every member of society in combating violence against women, she said that attending the meeting demonstrated support for the state’s efforts. Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Leman Yenigün then described relevant government policies and practices, explaining that the ministry was addressing the fight against violence in detail and discussing its collaborations with academia. She concluded by thanking İstanbul Nişantaşı University for the event and its support in this field.

The panels discussed the challenges women face in society and the roles individuals, institutions and the state must assume to overcome them. The effectiveness of government policies, legislation and individual responsibilities was evaluated.

The first panel addressed women’s presence in the public sphere and the impact of government policies on combating violence against women. Speakers included Associate Professor Zeynep Kevser Danışoğlu, Director of the FSMVU Social Research Application Centre and KADEM Board Member; television producer Esra Erol; Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; and AK Party İstanbul MP Büşra Paker.

During the session, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Kevser Danışoğlu described women’s studies as a political struggle extending beyond individual efforts. She emphasised collective action against inequality and thanked our university for supporting such events. Prof. Dr. Edibe Sözen stated that young people would solve violence against women together and called for applause for them. Associate Professor Zeynep Kevser Şerefoğlu Danış explained that academics involved in women’s studies have an ongoing task, responding wherever needed in academia and the field. AK Party MP and Deputy Chair of the party’s Information and Communication Technologies Department Büşra Paker noted that violence is often physical but can also be psychological, economic or digital, and described the range of support available.

Television producer Esra Erol said loneliness was increasing in a digitalising world and explained her response through the slogan “You Are Not Alone, I Am Here.” Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak cited United Nations report data identifying Africa, South Asia and Oceania, respectively, as the regions with the highest prevalence of violence against women. Maltepe University Rector Prof. Dr. Edibe Sözen said young people would resolve the issue collectively, adding that, as a nation that had brought justice to the world, it was essential to understand our mission.

The second panel focused on women’s economic, cultural and legal roles. Participants discussed solutions and awareness initiatives addressing social norms that foster violence. Speakers included businesswoman and activist Leyla Alaton; artist and women’s studies specialist Prof. Dr. Mehtap Demir Güven; lawyer and television programme consultant Attorney Pınar Kandemir Hacıbektaşoğlu; European Association of Development Agencies Board Member Özgül Özkan Yavuz; and artist Aydilge Sarp.

Özgül Özkan Yavuz, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism during the 27th parliamentary term, discussed areas in which women and men have different strengths and their positive effects, emphasising that women and men must have equal rights. Prof. Dr. Mehtap Demir Güven, Director of İstanbul University’s Women’s Studies Application and Research Centre, called for tools that promote improvement within cultural structures. Leyla Alaton encouraged young people to remain firmly committed to their professions. Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu highlighted the presence of businesswomen with different outlooks on life and the critical importance of their supporting one another.

Lawyer Pınar Kandemir Hacıbektaşoğlu emphasised the importance of considering violence in a broader context, stating that perspectives framed solely around “violence against women” were insufficient for combating violence. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Yeşim Yeşer Özer Yürür explained that women in different regions face very similar challenges. Artist Aydilge Sarp drew attention to the scarcity of women lyricists and composers and stressed the importance of women making their own stories heard.

Aiming to contribute to social transformation and increase individual and institutional awareness to end violence against women, the event concluded with broad participation from business, art and academia, including Ayşe Cevahir, Elif Cevahir Tuzlakoğlu, Nilhan Değer, Sevinç Sancak, Sare Aydın, Hacer Özil and Zeynep Görmezoğlu, alongside strong participation by İstanbul Nişantaşı University academics, student clubs and students.