The panel titled “Non-Violent Society and a Culture of Respect,” organized at Pamukkale University on the occasion of March 8 International Women’s Day, shed light on the transformative power of women in society and possible solutions. In the event, which was structured on the basis of science, law, and employment, it was emphasized that the most powerful tools to break the cycle of violence are women’s economic independence, awareness of their legal rights, and a “culture of respect” to be passed down from generation to generation.

The event, held at the Engin Aksel Conference Hall of the Faculty of Education, was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Türkçüer, faculty deans, academics, representatives of public institutions, and many students. In his opening speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Türkçüer drew attention to the leading role of universities in social transformation and stated that they see it as their greatest responsibility to establish an academic environment based on equality and respect.

The Hope and Power of the “Purple” Color Resonated at PAU

Moderated by the Director of the PAU Women’s Studies Application and Research Center, Associate Professor Zeynep Meral Tanrıöğen, the panel offered an inspiring perspective to the audience. Tanrıöğen stated that the “purple” color used in March 8 events is not merely a symbol, but represents sensitivity, hope, creativity, and strength, and addressed especially the youth. She emphasized that knowledge alone is not sufficient, and that the main goal is to transform this knowledge into lasting behaviors. She also advised students to evaluate events through a questioning, hypothesis-based perspective by opening a scientific window for them.

The first speaker of the event, Prof. Dr. Nurhan Meydan from the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine, addressed the phenomenon of violence, one of the greatest threats to public health, from different perspectives. In her presentation, Meydan focused on strong solution mechanisms provided by the state and explained how vital protection tools such as Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers (ŞÖNİM), the KADES application, and the ALO 183 social support line are for women. She also shared how, in the early years of her professional life, she struggled against a prejudiced mindset that did not believe she was a doctor simply because she was a woman, and how she sought her legal rights without compromising her professional stance, inspiring determination and courage among young people. Her presentation received great applause from the audience with the message, “Strong woman, strong family, strong Türkiye.” 

The interactive structure of the panel increased its academic productivity. In the question-and-answer session following the speeches, an insightful exchange of knowledge took place between the audience and the experts. With the valuable contributions of a constitutional law expert present in the hall, mutual evaluations on the current status of Law No. 6284 and legal safeguards transformed the panel from a mere presentation into a dynamic brainstorming session in which participants actively took part. This high-level interaction once again demonstrated the importance of correctly understanding legal rights in combating violence.

In the second part of the panel, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karadeniz, Head of the Department of Labor Economics and Industrial Relations at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, took the floor and discussed the issue from the perspective of working life and employment. Stating that women’s participation in the labor force and their economic independence are the most critical factors in standing against violence, Karadeniz highlighted the importance of the “principle of equal treatment” and the rule of “equal pay for equal work” guaranteed under the Labor Law. He also emphasized how informal employment jeopardizes women’s future, underlining that fully including women under the umbrella of social security is not only an economic step but also a matter of strong social will.

The event, which provided participants with new perspectives, was crowned with a closing ceremony. At the end of the panel, where the steps to be taken for building a non-violent, equal, and dignified society were shared in a hopeful tone, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Türkçüer was invited to the stage. Türkçüer presented certificates of appreciation to the panelists Prof. Dr. Nurhan Meydan and Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karadeniz, as well as to the moderator Associate Professor Zeynep Meral Tanrıöğen for their presentations and valuable contributions. The meaningful panel concluded with commemorative photographs and a shared belief in a brighter future.