Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Communication Ph.D. Program student Yasin Alp Çevik has been awarded the first prize with his photograph titled “Reflection” in the “See Women Trafficking” themed photography competition organized by the Association for Support from Women to Life (KAYAD). In the event organized by KAYAD within the scope of the European Union Fight Against Human Trafficking Grant Program, the exhibition consisting of 22 works selected from 104 photographs in the context of the “Ignore” project was opened to visitors. Successful photographers were presented their awards at the award ceremony held at İsmet Vehit Güney Art Center. Mustafa Akıncı, the 4th President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Mehmet Harmancı, the President of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, also attended the ceremony.
EMU Engineering Faculty, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department Technician Cem Cengiz won the second prize with his photograph titled “A Hope”, while Alev Emre Gülsev was awarded the third prize with her photograph titled "I'm at the End of a Road Quietly Gone". Ayşe Kocaismail won the jury special award with her photo titled “Hope” as a result of the evaluation of the jury committee consisting of Mehmet Gökyiğit, Prof. Dr. Senih Çavuşoğlu, Meral Akıncı and Ali İhsan Bayar, while the honorable mentions were received by Erkan Çelikeri with his photo “Imagination” and Gülen Gül Coşkun with her photo “İzahi”.
“One of the Biggest Human Rights Violations”
Delivering the opening speech of the ceremony, KAYAD President Meral Akıncı drew attention to human trafficking, which is one of the biggest human rights violations in the world, and in this context, women's trafficking. Referring to the work they have done in this field as KAYAD, Akıncı emphasized the importance of the potential of civil society to achieve social transformation. Akıncı stated that they are working to make the violations of rights visible with the “Ignore” projects and said, “We know that in order to transform, we must first see the problem and understand it correctly. It is essential not to ignore the problems in the fight against trafficking in women, as we did against domestic violence years ago.” Akıncı also emphasized that trafficking in women is modern slavery.
“Seeing Requires Mind and Heart”
The award winners shared their feelings and thoughts with the participants in the organization where the videos prepared for the winning photos were also screened. EMU Communication Faculty PhD Program Student Yasin Alp Çevik, winner of the “See Women Trafficking”” photography contest, drew attention to the potential of the said photography exhibition to raise awareness beyond just being looked at. Çevik said, “I wish it would be an exhibition that we see, not just look at. Because looking is an eye movement, seeing requires mind and heart. I wish it to be an exhibition where we put our minds and hearts.”