December 5 – World Women’s Rights Day

The Dean of the Faculty of Law at Cyprus International University (CIU), Prof. Dr. Şölen Külahçı, stated on the occasion of December 5, World Women’s Rights Day, that “one of the most fundamental indicators of a society’s level of development is the strength of women’s status in public and private life.” She emphasized that World Women’s Rights Day is not merely a commemoration, but a symbol of women’s struggle to participate in legal and social life as equal citizens. Külahçı reminded that December 5 is also the historic day on which women in Türkiye were granted the right to vote and be elected, noting, “The rights gained in 1934 constituted a pioneering step in world history, increasing women’s visibility in the public sphere and opening the doors to social transformation.”
Külahçı stated, “Women’s rights are not merely a legal issue; they are an integral part of human rights and the foundation of social justice. No society can be considered truly advanced without ensuring women’s full and equal participation in social, economic, political, and cultural spheres.” She pointed out that today, in many countries around the world, women still face significant barriers in education, employment, representation, and access to justice. “This reality shows that women’s rights are not something to be ‘won and left behind,’ but a lifelong struggle that must be continually defended,” she said.

Noting that December 5 reminds us of the struggles fought throughout history while also making our responsibilities for the future visible, Külahçı stated that “empowering women in academia, law, politics, science, and business; ensuring equal opportunities; and eliminating all forms of gender-based discrimination must be pursued with determination.” She added, “Removing the invisible barriers women face in many areas—from education to employment, from academic advancement to the justice system—is only possible through social awareness.”
Addressing the issue of preventing violence against women, Külahçı said, “Strengthening women’s access to healthcare, increasing their representation in decision-making mechanisms, and creating safe and fair working conditions must be priority goals both in terms of legal regulations and societal culture. Because a society in which women are empowered moves toward a more fair, more productive, and more democratic future—not only for women but for all.”

Stating that “World Women’s Rights Day on December 5 reminds us of the great struggles of the past while giving us an opportunity to rethink our responsibilities for the future,” Külahçı concluded: “A world in which women’s voices are heard, their rights protected, their labor recognized, and their potential supported is possible; and for this, every institution, every individual, and every social structure must fulfill its responsibilities.”