President Erdoğan Speaks at KADEM General Assembly: “You have to get used to seeing more women in top positions in both the public and private sectors.”
At the 5th General Assembly of the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), which was held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Dr. Canan Sarı, Attorney at Law, was appointed as the new Chairperson. Along with the election of the new chairperson, the new board of KADEM, which will serve for the next three years, was also determined.
The KADEM 5th General Assembly, held at the Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Centre, began with opening speeches by Assoc. Prof. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, who has been serving as KADEM’s Chairperson since 2018, and Attorney Dr. Canan Sarı, KADEM Board Member and Chair of Board candidate. Following a brief film highlighting KADEM and its initiatives, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the assembly.
In his speech, President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of the uncompromising implementation of Law No. 6284, which aims to protect women and children from violence. He stated that the fight against violence towards women and children is one of the most important elements of policies aimed at empowering the institution of family.
President Erdoğan declared that the mentality that opposes women has been consigned to history, saying: “In the last 23 years, we have grown and developed Türkiye together with women, and brought the country to a position where it is a model in democracy and freedom. We will also build the ‘Century of Türkiye’ shoulder to shoulder with women.”
Emphasizing his trust in KADEM’s leadership in protecting women’s rights and strengthening democracy, President Erdoğan continued:
“In 23 years, women have completely dismantled your system, which reeks of arrogance. The glass ceilings that you meticulously built over the years have been shattered into pieces. You have to learn to respect women’s right to wear headscarves, their attire, and their right to live their faith in the public sphere. You have to get used to seeing more women in the top positions of both the public and private sectors.
You have to eventually adapt to the new Türkiye, where women freely take part in all areas of life, express their thoughts openly, and live their beliefs freely.”
Canan Sarı: “We Will Continue to Advocate for a Safe, Dignified, and Just Life for All Women”
In her speech, the new Chairperson Dr. Canan Sarı emphasized KADEM’s motto “Trust, Dignity, Justice,” stating: “We are aware that the new period brings significant responsibilities. With this awareness, we will continue to work with the same consciousness, determination, and belief. We will allocate more resources and energy to projects that support women’s participation in education and production. We will continue our struggle against human rights violations, injustice, and violence with courage and determination.
As KADEM, we approach the empowerment of women not only within national borders but also in the context of international solidarity. For this reason, we are working diligently to protect the rights and dignity of women not only in our country but everywhere in the world. We will continue to share our discourse and work on international platforms such as the United Nations and W20, raising our voices for all victimized women globally.”
Assoc. Prof. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, who handed over the Chairperson position at KADEM’s 5th General Assembly, emphasized that although a short time has passed since its establishment, KADEM has become an internationally recognized and followed NGO. She continued: “There were times when we faced difficulties during this process. However, together with all my team members and volunteers, we overcame these challenges with a shared sense of purpose. What was the purpose that united us? It was to embrace the ‘Struggle for Rights,’ which our ancient culture and humanity called us to, and pass it on to future generations, standing against violence towards women…”
Emphasizing that KADEM will continue to strengthen through projects and initiatives that encompass all women, both locally and internationally, Okur Gümrükçüoğlu expressed her heartfelt belief that Dr. Canan Sarı, Attorney at Law, with whom she has worked closely for many years, will carry KADEM’s mission forward and take “the flag much further.”
Canan Sarı Becomes the New Chairperson
At the 5th General Assembly of KADEM, Dr. Canan Sarı, Attorney at Law, was elected Chairperson through a vote participated by 294 delegates. Additionally, KADEM’s new board members were also determined.
With the motto “Equality in Existence, Justice in Responsibility,” KADEM, which has been fighting for women’s presence in all fields, from politics to business, art to academia, since 2013, concluded its 5th General Assembly with a group photo.
KADEM’s chairperson and provincial representatives serve for three years and can hold their positions for a maximum of two terms, working on a voluntary basis without receiving any honorarium.
