The “Visual Diary” exhibition, which brings together photographs taken by women staying at the LTB Women’s Shelter, opened at the Near East University Irfan Günsel Congress Center Exhibition Hall with the participation of Nicosia Turkish Municipality Mayor Mehmet Harmancı.
The “Visual Diary” Photography Exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Near East University Gender Research and Application Center (TOCAM) and the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Women’s Shelter, opened at the Near East University Irfan Günsel Congress Center Exhibition Hall on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition, featuring photographs taken by women staying at the shelter, was attended by many guests, including Nicosia Turkish Municipality Mayor Mehmet Harmancı and Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ. Opening remarks of the exhibition were delivered by TOCAM President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demet Atay and NTB Social Services Branch Manager Sibel Demirpençe.
The exhibition, featuring photographs taken by women staying at the shelter, showcased their life experiences, emotions, and hopeful struggles through art. Each woman signed her work with the name of a flower she chose and shared it. The women expressed their empowerment stories through the pseudonyms “Rose, Chrysanthemum, Tulip, Violet, Narcissus, Water Lily, and Daisy”, thus preserving their identities and expressing themselves in a unique way.
Sibel Demirpençe: “We were delighted that they had the chance to see their true value again.”
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Sibel Demirpençe, Social Services Branch Manager at the National Medical Association (NTM), stated that women had tried to express their hopes, feelings, and struggles through photographs through this exhibition. Demirpençe said, “We are delighted to see that women have the opportunity to revisit and remember their value through this work.”
Expressing her hope that the collaboration between the Nicosia Turkish Municipality and Near East University will continue to strengthen, Demirpençe said, “We believe that such projects contribute greatly to women’s empowerment, visibility, and voices being heard. We hope to implement many more meaningful projects through this collaboration.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demet Atay: “Defending women’s right to life means defending all people’s right to life.”
TOCAM President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demet Atay provided information in her opening speech at the exhibition about the different types of violence against women, saying, “Combating violence against women requires a multidimensional approach.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atay noted that the seven women staying at the shelter were prepared for this process with digital photography training provided by TOCAM member Çağla Elektrikçi, and emphasized that the center will continue its determined work to combat violence against women. Emphasizing that violence against women is not merely a matter of individual security, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atay said, “Violence against women is a social problem that concerns the foundations of peace, justice, and equality. Defending women’s right to life is, in fact, defending the right to life of all people.”
Concluding her speech with a powerful message, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demet Atay said, “As TOCAM, with our members working in various disciplines and the expertise we possess, we will continue to stand against violence against women and continue the fight. We exist, we are strong, we are free.”
