Visibility of women was highlighted at the "Women and the Future" event

In collaboration with Üsküdar University and the Confederation of All Non-Governmental Organizations (TSTK), the "Women and the Future" event was held as part of International Women's Day on March 8. Organized under the leadership of Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör with the motto "When Women Dream, the Future Comes to Life," the event hosted many distinguished guests. Within this scope, the importance of making women visible in all areas of life was emphasized.

The event, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of the Main Campus, was attended by Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, TSTK President Hakan Gültekin, TSTK Women's Commission President Ayşe Çebi, President of Central Executive Union Bahar Kastan, Üsküdar University Project Development Coordinator Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, writer and artist Sakine Eruz, Marmara University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Meral Özomay, TUÇEM Environmental Association Chairperson Aynur Acar, ÜNSPED Culture and Sports Club Coordinator Semra Demirel, KASDERFED President Fatma Kıranoğlu, businesswoman Oya Salman, İŞKAGİD President Arzu Özkaya, and TV100 Midday News Program Host Oya Çebi.

The event, held under the slogan "When Women Dream, the Future Comes to Life," emphasized the transformative power of women in society.

As part of the event, Prof. Sakine Eruz’s exhibition "Multiculturalism and Interpreters in the Ottoman Empire" was met with great interest, and a video titled "Türkiye’s Working Women" was shared with the participants.

The event was moderated by Prof. Aynur Aydın.

Prof. Nazife Güngör: "Women Become the Subjects of Violence"

The opening speech of the event was delivered by Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör. Güngör stated that "I am sure you all watch historical films. There is always some form of violence against women somewhere in them. Not only against women, but there is also violence against men. However, the segment that is most often instrumentalized in violence is women. Women become the subjects of violence. There is always victimization. I do not approach this issue from a feminist perspective but rather from a purely humanist standpoint. I do not differentiate between men and women. Since the beginning of history, humanity has failed to solve its fundamental problems, so how can it resolve the problems between genders?"

Hakan Gültekin: "This world is beautiful with you, women"

Expressing that he could not imagine a world without women, TSTK President Hakan Gültekin stated that "I would like to express how happy I am to be here with you. The most honorable of all creations is humankind. This world is beautiful with you, women. You are present at every stage of society, from the beginning to the end. Life is beautiful, the future is beautiful. The world becomes even more beautiful with you. I cannot imagine a world without women."

Ayşe Çebi: "March 8 is the day of being the sun for those left in the shadows"

Emphasizing the importance of Women's Day, TSTK Women's Commission President Ayşe Çebi stated that "Today, we have gathered here not just to celebrate a single day but to honor a struggle, a belief, and a transformation. March 8 is the voice of the silent, the existence of the unseen, and the sun for those left in the shadows. We are here today thanks to the women who raised their voices for their rights, and those who fought in factories, on the streets, in parliaments, universities, and their homes years ago, and thanks to the millions of women whose names we do not even know today."

Bahar Kastan: "We established the hemp weaving workshop with 76 women"

Central Executive Union President Bahar Kastan delivered a speech at the event and expressed that "In Trabzon, in collaboration with Maçka Municipality, we established a hemp weaving workshop under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior’s Directorate General of Relations with Civil Society, together with 76 women." She also emphasized the significance of women's participation in the workforce.

Prof. Sakine Eruz: "One of the main reasons for winning the War of Independence was the women of Kastamonu"

Author and artist Prof. Sakine Eruz, who spoke at the event, stated the following remarks: "I am from Kastamonu. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the women of Kastamonu on Women's Day. The reason for this is that during the War of Independence, they carried ammunition through the Küre Mountains. One of the main reasons for winning the War of Independence was the women of Kastamonu."

Assoc. Prof. Meral Özomay: "I want to touch women’s lives"

Speaking at the event, Marmara University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Meral Özomay stated that "I work on traditional textiles. In villages, I support local textile artisans by helping them produce value-added products, making their items more marketable. I aim to teach my laboratory studies to women in these regions. I want to touch their lives."

Aynur Acar: "We aim to spread social awareness"

TUÇEM Environmental Association Chairperson Aynur Acar also delivered a speech at the event and expressed that "The blue recycling bins, textile bins, and glass bins you see on the streets today are the result of our 20 years of effort. While implementing these projects, we also strive to spread social awareness by accepting invitations to various locations as 27 female volunteers."

Semra Demirer: "We must take responsibility and train future leaders"

ÜNSPED Culture and Sports Club Coordinator Semra Demirer spoke during the program. Demirer stated that "As women of the Republic, as Atatürk’s daughters, we owe a great debt to this Republic and to Atatürk. That is why we must take responsibility and train future leaders."

Fatma Kıranoğlu: "A great gain not only for women but for society as well"

Speaking at the event, KASDERFED President Fatma Kıranoğlu emphasized that "There are fields where our women need to be more represented. Having more women in decision-making positions, on boards of directors, and in politics is not just a gain for women but a great gain for society as well."

Oya Salman: "In defiance of those who said, ‘You cannot do it!’"

At the event, businesswoman Oya Salman shared her experience and expressed that "In defiance of those who said, ‘You cannot do it!’, we made it into the top 29 companies out of 2,400." She highlighted the importance of women in the business world.

Arzu Özkaya: "Brave and strong women create a strong future"

At the event, İŞKAGİD President Arzu Özkaya expressed that "Brave and strong women create a strong future. Women represent labor, elegance, delicacy, and beauty. Everywhere a woman’s touch is present becomes a garden of roses."

Oya Çebi: "Women are always in a struggle"

Speaking at the event, TV100 Gün Ortası News Program Presenter Oya Çebi remarked that "Whatever is most lacking in a place is what gets discussed the most. Whatever is most lacking is what is celebrated. That is why women are always in a struggle."

Women: The Cornerstones of Society

The event, organized in collaboration between Üsküdar University and TSTK, stood out as a social innovation model that shapes the future of women through the combined power of science and art. It highlighted that women should be empowered not only as individuals but also as the fundamental building blocks of society.

Women are everywhere in life

Throughout the event, the scientific and social aspects of women's contributions to society were examined in depth. It was emphasized that making women more visible in social life, academia, business, and the arts is not just a personal achievement but an investment in the future of society. Additionally, USKEF President Umut Elbir distributed carnations to all the women attending the event.

The event, coordinated by Arif Ekşi and organized in collaboration between Üsküdar University and TSTK, delivered a strong message: women’s imagination is the most important element in building the future.

A musical performance was held

As part of the program, Ebru Germiyanoğlu performed a violin recital.

The event concluded with the presentation of plaques to participants and a group photo session.

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)