Empowerment of Girls Explored at CIU
A panel titled "Empowering Girls - Healthy Start & Hopeful Future" was held at Cyprus International University (CIU) in collaboration with the Women's and Gender Studies Center (UKAMER) and the Faculty of Education at CIU, in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The panel opened with a message from Nilden Bektaş Erhürman: “Gender equality is a representation of social justice, democracy, and sustainable development. Without achieving this equality, we cannot prevent violence against women, nor can we build a future where our girls can freely realize their full potential.” Erhürman emphasized that "Access to education, empowerment, and support for girls means raising the confident, conscious, and independent women of the future," noting that this is a societal responsibility. She stressed the importance of strong awareness and solidarity, alongside legal, social, and cultural mechanisms, and highlighted the valuable efforts of UKAMER and the Faculty of Education in this regard.
Prof. Dr. Fatoş Silman, Dean of the Faculty of Education, gave the opening speech, emphasizing that girls' rights to education, health, security, and equal opportunities should be an undisputed topic. She pointed out that every day, girls are exposed to increasing risks of violence, discrimination, and abuse. The most severe and visible consequence of gender inequality, both globally and in Turkey, is the rising number of femicides.
The panel was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihrican Aylanç, President of UKAMER, who discussed how violence against women is exacerbated by factors such as poverty, disability, and discrimination. She explained that the combination of these with illiteracy, war, migration, and the devastating effects of natural disasters creates even greater risks. Aylanç emphasized that preventing violence against women, a global human rights issue, would create a healthier, fairer, safer, and more livable world for everyone. She added that UKAMER will continue its work to identify and solve women's problems, strengthen them, and transform gender-related attitudes, beliefs, and norms into equal and fair systems.
Prof. Dr. Çağla Gür, a faculty member of the Faculty of Education, spoke on methods for individual and societal well-being. She explained that many crimes, such as murder, child abuse, and aggressive behavior, often committed in a split-second decision without rational thinking, indicate that the rational brain is not sufficiently engaged. She emphasized the importance of education and lifelong learning in preventing such situations.
Prof. Dr. Hatice Sütçü, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, addressed factors affecting women's health. Supported by scientific research reports, she showed that as status and education decrease, health risks and violence increase. Sütçü shared strategies for empowering girls at the family-home, educational institutions, community, and government levels. She stressed that protection from violence also safeguards mental health. She highlighted that the most effective way to empower girls is through education, self-confidence, and access to opportunities, while underscoring the importance of medical, psychological, and legal support mechanisms.
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay from the Near East University Center for Social Research and Development spoke about the projects and efforts aimed at empowering women and future generations of girls. She emphasized that bringing women's voices into scientific books and making them role models, as well as overcoming the glass ceiling and queen bee syndrome through social transformation and educational policies, is essential. Altınay also highlighted the importance of supporting work to improve the digital literacy of mothers of disabled children, increasing father and family education, strengthening solidarity between women's organizations, and implementing empowerment policies through strategic planning and leadership.
Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova, Vice Rector of CIU, pointed out that while women's employment in Northern Cyprus is under 40%, in Southern Cyprus, it exceeds 60%. He noted that this gap indicates that some systems in our society prevent women from finding their rightful place in the labor force. Tanova emphasized that there is a significant gender gap in leadership roles, where the disparity between the number of men and women is glaring. He concluded by stating that such events are crucial in guiding the way forward and thanked the panelists before presenting them with certificates.