Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Education academic staff member, EMU Center for Women’s Studies (CWS) Executive Board Director and Umay Ana Turkic World Women’s Association Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen represented EMU at the “2nd International Women’s Workshop in Turkic World” event organized by Umay Ana Turkic World Women’s Association (UMAY ANA TDKB) on 2-3 October 2025 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The gathering of pioneering and entrepreneurial women from different parts of the Turkic world took place at Khazar University with strong participation, under the theme “Pioneering and Entrepreneurial Women of the Turkic World”.
The event was held with contributions of significant associations such as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye (TR), Turkish Collaboration and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), World Union of Ahıska Turks (DATUB), Union of Turkish Women Academics (TURKKAB), Istanbul Gedik University, Women Entrepreneurship Application and Research Center (KAGIMER) and, Istanbul Azerbaijan Solidarity and Culture Association (ISTAD).
Participation from 63 Countries
The workshop was led by Prof. Dr. Mualla Uydu Yücel, a faculty member of Istanbul University Department of General Turkish History. Participants from 63 countries took part in the event, representing regions and communities such as the Ahıska Turks, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, East Turkistan, the Gagauz Autonomous Region, Iraqi Turkmens, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Crimea, Kosovo, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye.
The two-day workshop, which brought together women academics, writers, civil society representatives, and public officials, explored the roles of women in science, culture, social development, and entrepreneurship. Designed to evaluate the leadership potential of women in the Turkic world from an academic standpoint, the event consisted of five sessions.
Alongside Prof. Dr. Mualla Uydu Yücel, the opening remarks featured Khazar University Rector Prof. Dr. Razia İsayeva, Azerbaijani Members of the Parliament Sevil Mikailova, Sabina Salmanova, and Dr. Tamam Caferova, DATUB Secretary General Fuad Uçar, Kosovo Member of the Parliament Fidan Brina Jilta, TRNC Representative in Baku Ufuk Turganer, and Turkish Ambassador to Baku Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün. The speeches emphasized the importance and role of women in society, the state, and within the family.
The workshop showcased pioneering women across history, literature, science, society, and entrepreneurship. The opening session, “Azerbaijan in Historical Context,” examined the Khojaly Massacre and Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations. In the “Pioneering Women in Literature and Media” session, figures such as Şefika Gaspıralı, Süreyya Ağaoğlu, and Zeyno Ganiyeva were highlighted. The “Pioneering Women in Science and Academia” session focused on the contributions of female scholars from the Turkic world.
The “Women in Social Life” session addressed topics such as family cohesion, motherhood, and women’s roles in society. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen delivered a presentation titled “Distinguished Figures of Northern Cyprus: Female Fighters”, emphasizing the crucial contributions of Turkish Cypriot women to the independence movement. The closing session, “Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship”, explored female leadership, entrepreneurial examples, and highlighted Nezihe Muhiddin’s pioneering influence.
The workshop, aimed at strengthening communication networks among women in the Turkic world, encourage entrepreneurship, and increase women’s participation in scientific endeavors, concluded with notable outcomes. Participants underscored the historical strength of Turkic women across all sectors of society and stressed the importance of women continuing to assume active, productive, and leadership roles in the future. The joint statement issued at the end of the event highlighted the message: “The strong women of the Turkic world will guide the future by following the path of the past”.
