Nil Education and Solidarity Association (NEYAD) organized a side event at the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the Turkish House (Türkevi) in New York.
Held under the theme “EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS: The Role of Family and Community in Women’s Empowerment”, the panel was moderated by Gordon Tapper, Chair of the African Union Commission (AUC) and founder of Give Them a Hand Foundation, and welcomed many participants.
The program began with welcoming remarks from the Consul General of Turkey in New York, Ambassador Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, followed by an opening speech by NEYAD USA Representative Mine Anlar.
In her speech, NEYAD Chairwoman Nilgün Diptaş informed participants about the association's work, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the role of family and community in raising educated and empowered girls: “The greatest power in building a society lies in conscious and educated individuals. Especially, educating girls plays a critical role in the development of a society,” she said.
Diptaş also stressed the importance of not remaining indifferent to the suffering of women in Gaza while advocating for women's right to education around the world, and stated that NEYAD is ready to collaborate with stakeholders and support initiatives that empower future generations of female leaders.
The Guest of Honor, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, stated: “As Turkey, we are taking determined steps to strengthen equal opportunities in education and ensure access to education for women and girls at all levels. We continue to develop innovative and inclusive policies in this area.”
Sierra Leone's Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Kaminty, also spoke at the panel, sharing the work being done for women in her country.
The event continued with speeches from award-winning filmmaker and human rights advocate Habiba Sinare Akeju and Dr. Bernadette Sanko Kamara, CEO of BK Behavioral Health Center.
The second part of the panel featured young speakers and was moderated by Columbia University Psychology Professor and UN IAAP representative Dr. Judy Kurlansky. The youth panel included YooNa Kim, Director of Culture at international NGOs; Batouly Camara, professional athlete and civil society volunteer; and Columbia University psychology student Ms. Jenna Wettstein.
Participants in the program included Turkish Grand National Assembly AK Party MPs Çiğdem Erdoğan and Çiğdem Koncagül; CHP Ankara MP Gamze Taşcıer; KADEM Chairwoman Saliha Okur Gümrükçüoğlu; KAGİDER Advisory Board Member Emine Erdem; Turkey-Africa House President Zeliha Sağlam; the Queen of South Africa’s Wanda Tribe; Russel Daisey; and President of the Turkish Women’s Council Prof. Dr. Sema Temizer. From the NEYAD team, Sidre Diptaş Bali, Cansu Öner, Doğa Ünver, Kayhan Bali, and Prof. Dr. Olcay Ünver were also present, along with many international attendees.
