The Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM), which fights against discrimination against women in education, health, business, and politics under the principle of “Equality in Existence, Justice in Responsibility,” has kicked off its events at the United Nations with the panel “Let’s Connect, Empower, and Grow! – III” and an iftar dinner.

Hosting the panel organized on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Women 20 (W20) —an initiative led by Türkiye— KADEM brought together women leaders, policymakers, and W20 delegates.

As part of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), KADEM is organizing panels and events in New York, addressing topics such as women’s rights, labor, solidarity, and technology. KADEM launched its activities with the panel “Let’s Connect, Empower, and Grow! – III” and an iftar dinner at the Turkish House (Türkevi) in New York. The event featured notable speakers, including Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, chair of KADEM Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, Dr. Nursem Keskin Aksay, Esra Bezircioğlu, Esin Güral Argat, Gülden Türktan, and Narnia Bohler Muller.

The panel, particularly organized for the 10th anniversary of the Women 20 (W20) platform, brought together women leaders, policymakers, and W20 delegates. Following the session, which evaluated international achievements in women’s rights and future steps, KADEM hosted an iftar dinner that served as a valuable networking platform, fostering new collaborations among women leaders.

Expressing their delight in hosting the third edition of the traditional New York Women’s Networking event, chair of KADEM Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu emphasized that, alongside KAGİDER and TİKAD, they have made significant contributions to transforming Türkiye’s W20 Summit into a permanent and influential platform. She highlighted that KADEM has been actively participating in the W20 Summit every year since 2015, supporting efforts to enhance women’s participation in social and economic life.

“We are honored to have played a pioneering role in the establishment of W20 and to have carried this responsibility with great dedication. The first W20 Summit was held in Istanbul in 2015 under the patronage of our President. At that event, our President emphasized that national and global development is only possible by strengthening women’s role in the economy and stated that Türkiye’s efforts to make W20 a permanent structure would continue. Over the past decade, Türkiye has remained steadfast in its commitment to empowering women in social and economic life. W20 has become a powerful platform aimed at increasing women’s participation in the economy, ensuring equal opportunities, and achieving sustainable development goals.”

Gümrükçüoğlu also highlighted that W20 recognizes women not only as economic actors but also as key pillars of international solidarity and sisterhood. She added:

“As KADEM, we believe that women’s empowerment should be addressed not only within national borders but also in the framework of global solidarity. However, in today’s rapidly changing world, the challenges women face continue to evolve due to economic, social, and environmental crises. This situation necessitates W20 to develop new roadmaps that take into account the complex nature of women’s rights. KADEM is proud to be one of the strongest advocates of this mission and to contribute to these efforts. By coming together today, we aim to lay the foundations for stronger collaborations and more effective policies in the field of women’s rights.”

Minister Göktaş Highlights Emerging Risks

Expressing her appreciation for KADEM’s dedicated efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment on a global scale, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated:

“While reflecting on our successes, we must also acknowledge the challenges ahead. Persistent inequalities, climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological advancements—particularly in artificial intelligence—pose new risks for women.”

She also pointed out that while AI and digital transformation create opportunities, they also have the potential to deepen existing inequalities. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that technology is used as a tool for inclusivity rather than exclusion,” she emphasized.