CIU discussed violence against women

Cyprus International University, Center for Women and Gender Studies (CWGS), within the scope of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, organized a panel on "Violence Against Women".

Making the opening speech at the event, CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri stated that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic and social crises have been experienced across the world, and that the variety of traumas that have been experienced during this period has led to an increase in violence against women.

Pointing to the fact that these types of events will lead to an increase in individual awareness in relation to violence against women, Nadiri went on to say, “It is my hope that in relation to this issue, the results of this panel will reveal important findings for decision makers, shedding light for future studies”.

At the event, CIU Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology Academic Staff Assist Prof. Dr. Muazzez Merve Avcıoğlu, evaluated the conceptual dimensions and the psychological effects off violence against women.

Sharing the statistical data of the violence against women across the years, Avcıoğlu advised, “Most men are not perpetrators of physical violence, but most perpetrators of physical violence are men”.

Drawing attention to the fact that there should be a good distinction made between anger and violence, Avcıoğlu went on to state, “Everyone who is angry does not utilize violence. Anger is an emotion, whereas violence is a behavior. With education and psychotherapy provided to individuals, this can be controlled.”

CIU Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Social Services Academic Staff Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özgür, discussing violence within the context of cultural difference and multicultural social work, provided the example of marital rape, and stated that within society, this form of violence is ignored.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür drew attention to the types of violence faced by women, elaborating, “The leading types of violence against women are domestic violence according to culture, honor killings, dowry violence, acid attack, forced marriage, gang violence, bride kidnapping, stalking, sexual harassment, force-feeding, human trafficking, war violence, forced sterilization or abortion, and online violence”.