Women in Leadership: The Powerful Women of the World of Covid-19 event was organized at CIU
The Cyprus International University, Women and Gender Studies Research Center (WGSRC) held a series of seminars on the subject, “Women in Leadership: The Powerful Women of the World of Covid-192, within the scope of 8th March, International Women’s Day.
The first session of the seminar, which was moderated by WGSRC Executive Board Member Assist. Prof. Dr. Ender Volkan Çınar, saw Supreme Court Judge - Ombudsman Emine Dizdarlı and Chief Medical Advisor to the President, Prof. Dr. Nedime Serakıncı take the floor. During the second session taking place in the afternoon, Dr. Özlem Gürkut, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Dr. Nesil Bayraktar and Chest and Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Emine Kamiloğlu presented their statements.
At the opening of the event, CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri noted that the roles and responsibilities attributed to femininity and masculinity are defined as gender, however within society, individuals should be able to independently enjoy all rights and opportunities equally, regardless of their gender.
Stating that the Covid-19 epidemic affected women in a negative way, Çınar went on to say, “Some women became unemployed during this period. "There has also been an increase in domestic violence against women experienced across the world." Elaborating that the pandemic process was a period where the leadership of women stood out, Çınar stated that many of the female politicians were seen to manage the process in the best way.
Dizdarlı: "Women undertake different roles in both their business and domestic lives"
In her speech, Dizdarlı pointed out that women have different roles, both in their business and domestic lives, and that climbing the ladder of success as a woman is not possible without these roles being managed properly. Stating that women taking on responsibility in their careers is important for the entire society, Dizdarlı went on to elaborate, New occupations can be frightening as they may require more responsibilities. However, it is important we overcome these fears and be confident. Our capacity is never low”.
Serakıncı: “Women have the ability to multitask”
Speaking about the differences she observed during her educational and working life in different countries, Prof. Dr. Serakıncı explained that each culture's view of society is different. Drawing attention to the differences in the male and female approaches in her speech, Serakıncı noted, “The most important feature that distinguishes a woman from a man is that a woman’s ability to empathize is very high. In addition to this, a woman has the ability to multitask”.
Dr. Gürkut: “It is still difficult to be a woman in our world”
Taking the stage during the second session, Dr. Gürkut advised that women in Northern Cyprus are comparatively more advantaged than the rest of the women in the world, and also went on to advise “however, it is still difficult to be a woman in our world”. Drawing attention to the fact that women can do away with this disadvantageous situation via the joint action of women and men, Gürkut advised that it is in this way that women can gain the positions they deserve.
Dr. Bayraktar: “The section we refer to as the others is actually the other half of the society”
Stating that the epidemic period has been a process in which everyone is in this together and worked together, Dr. Bayraktar expressed, “during this process, the others, victims emerged. This section of the society is deemed as not worth seeing. It is the women, children, elderly, orphans, refugees that lead this group,”. Emphasizing that the others here are actually the other half of the society, Bayraktar noted that those who attempt to bring aid to these individuals, aswell as the protection of the state, are non-governmental organizations from within the society.
Dr. Kamiloğlu: “Despite their heavy participation in the work force, women only obtain 10% of the world’s total income”
Taking the stage during the final session, Dr. Kamiloğlu provided information in relation to female health workers. Advising that in Turkey, the male workforce has decreased by 3% in the last year, she underlined the fact that the female workforce has decreased by 7%. Dr. Kamiloğlu also advised that in the TRNC, 40% of the doctors are females, and that 50% of the doctors working during the pandemic were made up of females, while 83% of the nurses working during the pandemic were women.