Women in Foreign Policy, TEPAV’s International Women’s Day event
ANKARA - Women in Foreign Policy Initiative (WFP), the Embassy of Sweden and The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) organized a panel titled “Brave Women: Women’s and Gender Studies in Turkish Academia” on 9th of March 2020 at TEPAV. The meeting was attended by the representatives of Turkish public institutions, national and international non-governmental organizations, foreign missions, and academia.
The panel took place simultaneously with the exhibition titled “Brave Women: Women’s and Gender Studies in Turkish Academia” which is about a representative group of women scientists who started Women’s and Gender Studies in Turkey and who contributed to the institutionalization of it. It is the outcome of a research conducted by Istanbul University together with Bremen University and Blickwechsel Modern Turkey Studies (Stiftung Mercator Program).
The opening address was made by Nilgün ARISAN ERALP (Director of TEPAV’s Center for EU Studies and WFP’s Coordinator of Academic Research and Reports). After her remarks, Prof. Dr. Zeynep ALEMDAR (Okan University and WFP’s Founder and General Coordinator) highlighted the importance of strengthening women’s role and solidarity in the area of international relations.
The Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Annika MOLIN HELLGREN made a keynote speech titled “Sweden’s Feminist Foreign Policy.” She emphasized the steps taken in Sweden to institutionalise this policy and the necessity of gender equality for a peaceful and safe future.
Finally, a panel titled “Empowerment of Women in International Politics: Experience and Perspectives,” moderated by Ass. Prof. Dr. Özlem KAYGUSUZ (Ankara University Faculty Member and WFP’s Academic Coordinator) took place. In the panel Prof. Dr. Feride ACAR (Middle East Technical University, former President of GREVIO 2015-2019, Council of Europe Member 1997-2005 and 2011-2019 and former Chairperson of UN CEDAW 2003-2005) provided insight on gender equality in international declarations and CEDAW. H.E. Sumru NOYAN (former Ambassador in Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) underlined her experience at the United Nations and the necessity for increased women’s participation in foreign policy. Lastly, panelist Assoc. Professor Emel MEMİŞ (Ankara University and Member of the Executive Board of CEID) stressed that gender equality is a part of human rights and shared CEID’s works within this framework. The panel concluded after a Q&A session.
Click here to access the presentation of Assoc. Professor Emel Memiş.
