The “November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” panel organized by the Near East University Gender Research and Application Center (TOCAM) was held with intense participation.

The panel, which addressed the economic, psychological and legal dimensions of violence against women, was moderated by TOCAM President Assoc. Prof. Dr. İzlem Kanlı. The panel, of which opening speech was given by Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, consisted of five sessions. The issues covered in the panel were; “Antidote to Violence: The Struggle for Gender Equality and Legal Instruments”, “Protection and Support Services in the Combat of Violence Against Women”, “Psychological Dimension of Violence Against Women”, “Legal Approaches and Social Transformation in Breaking Out of the Spiral of Violence”, and “Looking at Violence Against Women from a Poverty Perspective”. At the end of the panel, which ended with a question and answer session, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ presented certificates of appreciation to the participants.

At the opening of the panel, a short video prepared by Fatoumata Jamal Bangoura, a graduate of the Faculty of Law who has been subjected to violence and fought against it, was shown. Then, a short video prepared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tijen Zeybek, a member of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences TOCAM, on violence against women was shared with the participants.

The fight against violence must be multifaceted!
In her presentation, Lawyer Aslı Murat, the Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Turkish Bar Association of the Cyprus Turkish Bar Association and a Council Member, emphasized the importance of strengthening the struggle for gender equality through legal means. Dr. Ömür Yılmaz, the Coordinator of the Community Studies and Women’s Shelter of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, drew attention to the vital role of protection and support mechanisms for victims of violence; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meryem Karaaziz, a faculty member of the Psychology Department of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the Near East University, discussed the psychological dimensions of violence.

Discussing the role of social transformation and legal approaches in preventing violence, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayten Erçoban Evren, Faculty Member of the Faculty of Law and TOCAM Vice President, discussed the necessity of reforms in this area in her presentation. Finally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tijen Zeybek, Faculty Member of the Department of Business Administration and TOCAM Member, drew attention to the strong relationship between economic poverty and violence and emphasized the importance of economic support in the fight against violence.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We will continue to work together for a society without violence.”
Stating that violence against women is not only an individual event but also a human rights violation that causes social decay, Near East University President Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We continue our studies with the aim of strengthening the place of women in society by supporting gender equality. Our Gender Research and Application Center is a concrete example of these efforts. In addition, by ranking 46th worldwide in the ‘Gender Equality’ category in Times Higher Education’s 2024 World University Impact Rankings, we have once again demonstrated our determination in this area.”

“We believe that the organized panel will raise social awareness in the fight against violence against women and contribute to the creation of a more just society,” said Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, and added; “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organization of the event and the valuable participants. We will continue to work together for a society without violence.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanlı: “Violence against women is a major problem that continues all over the world.”
TOCAM President Assoc. Prof. Dr. İzlem Kanlı also emphasized in her opening speech that violence is a violation of human rights. Assoc. Kanlı touched on the importance of the day and said, “The origin of the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women dates back to the brutal murder of the Mirabal Sisters who fought against dictator Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic in 1960. Violence against women is a major problem that continues all over the world.” Reminding us of the United Nations’ (UN) studies on this issue, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanlı said, “The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women defines violence against women as a form of discrimination that hinders women’s rights and freedoms.”

Providing information about TOCAM’s mission, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanlı said, “TOCAM, which was established in 2023, aims to prevent all kinds of discrimination, harassment and violence against gender, and to raise awareness about women’s rights and gender equality.” Also mentioning the trainings and events TOCAM has carried out to date, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanlı said, “We organized trainings in İskele and surrounding villages in January, we held a multidisciplinary symposium on March 8, International Women’s Day. We are currently initiating our efforts for female prisoners in prison.”