Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) hosted the “4th International Symposium on the Empowerment of Women and Families” held at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center on 24-26 September 2026. The symposium approached women studies, family structure, social transformation and empowerment processes with an interdisciplinary outlook. Bringing academics, researchers and experts from different countries together, the event did not just serve as an environment for scientific sharing, it also encouraged new research and collaborations.
Previously hosted by Yalova University in 2023, Fırat University in 2024, and Düzce University in 2025, this year the symposium was held in collaboration with Adnan Menderes University, Azerbaijan Republic Odlar Yurdu University, Düzce University, Fırat University, Giresun University, Kırklareli University, Kilis 7 Aralık University, Kocaeli University, Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications, Sakarya University, Sinop University, State University of Trade and Economics (Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics), Süleyman Demirel University, and Yalova University.
The opening ceremony, held at 9:30 a.m. on 24 September 2026, was attended by TRNC Minister of Labor and Social Security Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, TRNC Members of Parliament Fide Kürşat and Şifa Çolakoğlu, EMU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Director of the TRNC Social Services Department Alev Ecevit, EMU Vice Rector for Promotion and Institutional Communication Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, EMU Secretary General Derviş Ekşici, members of the Executive Board of the Cyprus Turkish Women’s Union, as well as academics and students.
Chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen, Chair of EMU Center for Women Studies (CWS), and Prof. Dr. Kağan Günçe, a faculty member at the EMU Faculty of Architecture, the symposium focused on efforts to strengthen women’s positions in social, economic, cultural, and political life, as well as care work, and inclusive social structures. Over the course of the symposium, total of 101 paper presentations, 67 in person and 34 online, took place.
“Women’s Empowerment and Family Empowerment Are Complementary Processes”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erbilen stated that economic inequalities, difficulties in accessing education and employment, caregiving responsibilities, poverty, migration, wars, digital inequalities and gender-based discrimination directly affect the lives of women and families. Emphasizing that the empowerment of women and families should be addressed as a shared responsibility within the framework of human rights, social justice and sustainable development, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erbilen noted that strong families can be built on the foundations of equality, mutual respect, solidarity, trust and responsibility. Highlighting that women’s empowerment and family empowerment are complementary processes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erbilen stated that families in which women’s rights are protected, their contributions are recognized and they participate equally in decision-making processes form the foundation of healthier and more democratic societies.
“Women’s Participation in Social, Economic and Political Life Is of Great Importance”
EMU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Karatepe noted that the symposium program featured studies from a range of disciplines and expressed his hope that the papers to be presented would contribute to the empowerment of women and to a more comprehensive examination of family structures. Stressing the importance of women’s participation in social, economic and political life, Prof. Dr. Karatepe stated that women have faced discrimination within both the family and society for centuries, adding that efforts to eliminate such discrimination continue to this day.
“Efforts to Empower Women Should Be Supported by Concrete Policies”
TRNC Minister of Labor and Social Security Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu drew attention to the importance of empowering women and strengthening the family for the future of society and congratulated EMU for hosting the symposium. Minister Hasipoğlu stated that discourse on women’s empowerment should be supported by concrete policies and practices, adding that the Ministry is carrying out initiatives aimed at helping women achieve economic independence and build their futures through their own efforts. Minister Hasipoğlu further noted that vocational training courses for women are organized through the Social Services Department and that psychosocial support is also provided. He stated that their aim is to create lasting opportunities that will enable women to stand on their own feet and lead independent lives.
On the first day of the symposium, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University academic staff member Prof. Dr. Pınar Ülgen delivered an invited presentation titled “Kadınlar Sessiz Değildi, Tarih Sağırdı: Orta Çağ Avrupa’sından Günümüze Kadının Yolculuğu (Women Were Not Silent, History Was Deaf: The Journey of Women from Medieval Europe to the Present Day)” Following the presentation, Symposium Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen presented Prof. Dr. Ülgen with a gift.
Special Session on “Pioneering Women of the Republic”
The first day of the symposium also featured a special session titled “Cumhuriyet’in Öncü Kadınları (Pioneering Women of the Republic).” Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman, the session included presentations by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dalaman, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nuran Halise Belet, Assist. Prof. Dr. Merve Uysal, Sema Metin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma İlknur Akgül and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen. The presentations explored the transformative role women have played from the eighteenth century to the present day in the fields of literature, the press, education, science, politics, law, art and culture.
“Different Institutions and Scientific Perspectives Came Together Around a Common Purpose”
In her remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erbilen stated that one of the key strengths of the symposium was its ability to bring together different institutions and diverse scientific perspectives around a common purpose. She emphasized that the symposium once again demonstrated the importance of approaching studies on women and the family from a multidisciplinary perspective and showed that these issues cannot be adequately addressed within the boundaries of a single academic discipline.
Furthermore, she noted that organizing such a comprehensive scientific event was the result of a collective effort and extended her thanks to all collaborating universities, particularly the host institution, EMU; to the academics, researchers and experts who contributed to the symposium with their papers; to the distinguished reviewers involved in the scientific evaluation process; to the members of the scientific committee; and to the entire team who worked devotedly at every stage of the organization.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erbilen further expressed her belief that the cooperation and solidarity demonstrated in the realization of the symposium would provide a strong foundation for future scientific studies and collaborations.
