Third International Women and Justice Summit was held on November 23, 2018, in Istanbul with the Participation of the President
November 23, 2018, İstanbul
III. Having stated in his inauguration speech at the Third International Women and Justice Summit that woman is both an integral part and the locomotive of family, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added “In our belief and culture, family is a vital institution which is formed and lives under the joint responsibility of women and men”.
The Third International Women and Justice Summit, which was organized jointly by the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) and the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, was held in Istanbul at Grand Cevahir Hotel under the main theme of “Strengthening of the Family Institution”
The Summit which is organized within the scope of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services, Dr. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, the President of KADEM, Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, the Vice President of KADEM, Members of KADEM, and a large number of ministers, academicians, researchers, journalists and representatives of the business world and non-governmental organizations from Turkey and various countries around the world.
“We love the creations for the creator’s sake”
Having stated in his inauguration speech at the Third Women and Justice Summit that women is both an integral part and the locomotive of family, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added “In our belief and culture, family is a vital institution which is formed and lives under the joint responsibility of women and men. Unlike what is presumed, an absolute discrimination such as burdening women with house works and men with subsistence activities within the family cannot be acceptable. Depending on the conditions, women and men can both contribute to the division of labor in the family”.
Erdoğan who emphasized that a society in which the family institution is not strong, will not have a promising future neither for women nor for men, added the following: “In our culture, as ordered by our God, spouses are obliged to look at each other with god’s compassion, love, respect and fondness. If you pay attention, this approach refers to a bilateral form of relationship. The quote of Yunus Emre, “We love the creation for the creator’s sake” is our guide in every sphere of life. As a human being, we have responsibilities which are independent from our sexuality. In addition to this, we also have other responsibilities according to the characteristics that we have as a man and a woman. Despite the referred facts that existed since creation, persistent efforts have later been made to subject women and men to rights and obligations above and beyond their human capacity.
As the members of a faith which regards every human as a being created by God beyond all their differences ranging from sexuality to color, it is not possible for us to discriminate against women. Because creator requires us to see all those who have been created from the same perspective.”
The west cannot be a reference to us!..
Having stated that our culture does not encourage sexual discrimination, Erdoğan pointed out that: There are immense pains, violations and abuses which are experienced, behind the great debates about human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights and even animal rights in western countries . When the fracture is sharp, then the debates organized and the steps taken are equally great. Thank God, you cannot find such fractures in our history. Neither our faith nor our culture allows this.
A civilization which believes that paradise lies under the feet of the mother, treats women as if they are the “sultans” and advises to behave in a friendly manner with them, to joke with them, to be kind to them and to behave well with them, cannot have such a reference. We will discuss our own problems, own deficiencies and own faults in our own realities and find the appropriate steps to take.
“We may overcome the problems in our era by strengthening the family”
Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services specified that, having been determined as the main theme of the summit and denoting etymological loyalty, association and solidarity, ‘family’ is the fundamental institution not only for human and economic development, but also for spiritual development. Selçuk stated: The fact that old values have been forgotten makes the family defenseless against global threats. In this summit, we will globally address how we can strengthen the family structure which has weakened against global threats. With a social sexual equality where women and men are companions to each other rather than competitors, we must set an example of solidarity. Only then we may overcome the problems which are present in our ear by strengthening the family. With a structured and qualified family education, we are making a significant effort to ensure that youngsters will not be alienated from ancient family values and develop their sense of responsibility, and we are increasing the number of individuals who can benefit from family educations every day.”
“We consider it necessary to make a family friendly urban planning”
In her speech that she began by expressing her satisfaction to be present at this summit where different points of views have been expressed and broadened, Dr. Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu, the President of KADEM mentioned about the significance of family. Gümrükçüoğlu stated: “Family is an institution where individuals are committed towards each other with love and loyalty, feel safe, and where rights and responsibilities are balanced. This institution, to which the societies owe their power and wellness, continues its existence with support of individuals”. We need a more rigorous perspective to understand and strengthen the family. Moreover, while determining the themes of our summit, we endeavored to consider every area which relates to the family. And with this sensitivity, we decided to discuss the areas which touch the life of people, for which a solution must be found. With reference to the principle of “killing an individual is like killing the whole humanity”, we argue that violence against women causes serious unjust treatments. To this end, we are holding our summit within the scope of 25th of November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women “Urban architecture and planning must be reviewed in accordance with the needs and expectations of the family. We consider it necessary to make a family friendly urban planning where an elder or disabled individual or a person who wishes to walk on the street with a baby push chair can easily do it.
Leaders from Different Countries are Meeting at the Summit
Following the official speeches, the “Session of Leaders” titled “Importance of Family in the Globalizing World: Prioritized Policies and Practices” will be held with the ministries of family and labor from different countries, which will be hosted by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.
At the session which will be moderated by Dr. Esra Albayrak, the Chairman of the Women’s Solidarity Council of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the speakers will be Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services, Zeki Çeler, the Minister of Labor and Social Security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Haifa Al-Agha, the Minister of Women Affairs of the state of Palestine, Hijran Huseynova, the Minister of Women Affairs, Family and Gender of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Janat Mukwaya, the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development of the Republic of Uganda, and Adiyev Kanybek Mamatbekovich, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development of Kirghiz Republic.
Parallel sessions will be held on the second day
Parallel sessions will be held on the second day of the summit. At the sessions, the developments in different areas for the purpose of strengthening the family, successful examples and the determinations and solution offered in relation to the ongoing problems will be discussed.
The session addressing “Threats and Opportunities Awaiting the Family in Modern World” will be moderated by Dr. Ignacio Socias, International Relations Director of Spain. Speakers st the session will be Architect Fehmi Bilge, Architect Dr. Dimiter Philipov, Prof. Dr. Kemal Sayar and Prof. Dr. Gunhild O. Hagestad.
The session addressing “To a Better Balance between Work and Family” will be moderated by Assoc. Dr. E. Sare Aydın Yılmaz. Speakers at the session will be Ahmed Mohamed Aref, Dr. Willem Adema, Dr. Fred Deven and Dr. Margarida Gonçalves Neto.
The session addressing “Religion as the Unifying Power of Family” will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Huriye Martı. Speakers at the session will be Prof. Dr. Dariusz Krok, Leasha Prime Dar al Hijrah and Dr. Faculty Member Şule Albayrak.
The session addressing “Effect of Media on Family Dynamics : Digitalization of Relationships” will be moderated by Journalist Fatma Barbarosoğlu. Dr. Sumaiyah Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Dong Hoon Ma, Prof. Dr. Ferhan Odabaşı and Producer Birol Güven will attend as speakers.
The session addressing “Domestic Violence and Abuse as a Threat Impairing the Unity of Family” will be moderated by Ms. Wafa Bani Mustapha. Gülser Ustaoğlu, Prof. Dr. Medaim Yanık, Prof. Dr. Zaleha Kamuruddin and Prof. Dr. Paola Todini will attend the session as speakers.
The session addressing “Effect of Conflicts and Poverty on Family ” will be moderated by Reem Abu Hassan. Sabiha Husic, Dr. Deisi Kusztra Weber, Dr. Ali Khashan, and Dr. Zitha Mokomane will attend as speakers.
As the last session, KADEM Talks session will be held where women from three different countries who have come to the forefront by becoming successful in their family and business life will convey their experiences. At KADEM Talks, Syrian Refugee Maysaa Abu Hassen, Fatma İpek Alçı, who has won the award of the hero of the year at the Swedish Heroes Contest of 2007, and author Leyla İpekçi will speak.
The Summit will end after the “Final Declaration of Summit” is read. In the forthcoming months, the “Summit Book” consisting of the panel presentations will be printed.
Themes to be addressed at Third International Women and Justice Summit:
- Threats and Opportunities Awaiting the Family in Modern World
- To Better a Balance between Work and Family
- Religion as the Unifying Power of Family
- Effect of Media on Family Dynamics : Digitalization of Relationships
- Domestic Violence and Abuse as a Threat Impairing the Unity of Family
- Effect of Conflicts and Poverty on Family
