March 8 Panel at CIU

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Law and the Law Club jointly organized  the “March 8 Panel” with rich participation.

In the panel moderated by CIU Faculty of Law Lecturer Çiçek Göçkün and held in the Conference Hall of CIU Çevik Uraz Center, Businesswomen's Association Board Member Hatice Özalp and CTP Member of the Parliament Dr. Sıla Usar İncirli made some evaluations about gender equality in political and union life as well as in academic life. 

Speaking at the opening, CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri said that the participation of women is of vital importance in the development of societies, economic development and social transformation and said, “Women have played an important role in all areas of societies throughout history. However, efforts still need to be made to achieve gender equality in many areas."

Nadiri said that while we celebrate the achievements of women, we should also not put into oblivion the difficulties they face, adding, "We must do our best to continue the fight globally for gender equality and to ensure that women can fully realize their potential."

Vice Dean of the CIU Faculty of Law Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şölen Külahçı noted at the opening that women's struggle for existence in social life has continued since 1908 and said, "The fact that this struggle which has been continuing for so long has left me with a bitter heart."

Reminding that March 8 is of great importance and that it should not be a day celebrated only with special events, Külahçı said, “March 8 is the symbol of a struggle for existence. It is the product of women's social existence and their search for equality." 

Speaking at the event, Businesswomen's Association Board Member Hatice Özalp stated that there is a long way to go regarding women's rights and added, "As a mother, a woman and a businessperson, I hope that we can reach the points we want both mentally and emotionally."

Pointing out that women have learned not to be aware of their own potential, Özalp said, "My hope is that we all move forward on this path together, and be a guiding light for each other."

Dr. Sıla Usar İncirli, in her speech, stated that women and girls are still suffering from discrimination because of being a woman in almost every part of the world and said, “Every woman is entitled to human rights and has the right to live free from violence, slavery and all kinds of discrimination.” She also reminded that  "Every woman has the right to be educated, to own property, and to earn fair and equal wages."

Pointing out that women have struggled greatly to achieve these fundamental rights for centuries, İncirli said, “Some of them lost their jobs. Some of them their families. Some of them lost their freedom and even their lives." 

İncirli concluded by saying that Ülviye Mithat was the first Turkish Cypriot feminist who advocated equal voting rights for women in the SES newspaper in the 1930s. In her final remarks, İncirli said, “March 8 is a tribute to the memory of these women. And March 8 is the name of the resistance that still continues.”