International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Panel Held in Manisa

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the "Panel on Combating Violence Against Women" was organized by the Manisa Governorship, Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBU) Rectorate, Manisa Provincial Gendarmerie Command, Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, Manisa Courthouse, Manisa Bar Association, Manisa Provincial Police Department, Şehzadeler Municipality, Yunusemre Municipality, and Manisa Family and Social Services Provincial Directorate. The event was held at the MCBU Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center.

The panel attracted significant attention from public institutions in Manisa, women’s associations, municipal women’s councils, MCBU faculty members, and students. Among the panelists were Prof. Dr. Oktay Üçer, Vice Rector of MCBU; Sevgi Başak Yeşil Malay, President of the Manisa Bar Association; Prof. Dr. Ayşe İlker, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at MCBU; Volkan Sert, Head of the Social Services Department of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality; Mustafa Kılıç, Provincial Director of the Manisa Family and Social Services Directorate; and Senem Savcı Helvacı, Director of the Provincial Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation of Manisa.

The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Aylin Çankaya, Deputy Director of the MCBU Women and Family Research and Application Center. The panel speakers included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyda Sayan Cengiz, Board Member of the MCBU Women and Family Research and Application Center; Cemile Erkara, Director of the Manisa Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center; Bilal Köstekli, Police Officer at the Family Affairs Bureau of the Manisa Provincial Police Department; Asb. Gönül Çelik, Chief of the Domestic Violence and Child Section at the Manisa Provincial Gendarmerie Command; Beyza Nur Kovan Erdoğan, Psychologist at the Judicial Support and Victim Services Directorate of the Manisa Courthouse; and Zehra Oyit from the Women and Children’s Rights Commission of the Manisa Bar Association.

Topics discussed during the panel included “Violence Against Women as a Multidimensional Problem,” “Services for Victims of Violence, Application Processes, and Psychosocial Support Provided,” “The Role of Law Enforcement in Combating Violence Against Women and Victim Protection Measures,” and “Judicial Support Services for Female Victims of Violence in Legal Proceedings.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyda Sayan Cengiz highlighted that there had been 438 women murdered in 2023 and 343 murders and 207 suspicious deaths in the first 10 months of 2024, emphasizing that the social damage caused by violence against women is multidimensional and that the empowerment of women equals the empowerment of society.

Cemile Erkara, Director of the Manisa Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center, stated, “Between January 1 and September 30, 2024, we provided guidance, counseling, and information on institutions and organizations that victims can turn to, as well as extended protection orders, to 5,969 individuals in Manisa. Additionally, we reached 4,090 individuals with awareness training. We offered psychosocial support to 20 women and assisted them in overcoming their experiences. You are not alone, we are here for you.”

Bilal Köstekli, Police Officer at the Family Affairs Bureau of the Manisa Provincial Police Department, discussed Law No. 6284, which covers women, children, family members, and victims of stalking who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence. He explained that individuals can reach the police via telephone, 112 emergency services, the Alo 183 hotline, KADES (Women’s Emergency Support System), or direct application, and that these reports are addressed immediately.

Asb. Gönül Çelik, Chief of the Domestic Violence and Child Section at the Manisa Provincial Gendarmerie Command, shared the preventive and protective measures the Gendarmerie takes, including providing shelter, temporary financial aid, counseling, daycare services, and changing a victim’s place of residence or employment.

Beyza Nur Kovan Erdoğan, Psychologist at the Judicial Support and Victim Services Directorate of the Manisa Courthouse, explained the support provided to victims within the courthouse, such as guidance on accessing other relevant institutions, accompanying them during court testimony, ensuring privacy during statements, managing child custody arrangements, and preparing social examination reports as requested by the court.

Zehra Oyit from the Women and Children’s Rights Commission of the Manisa Bar Association explained that for those unable to afford legal assistance, a lawyer is provided at no charge through the state budget. Every bar association center has an office for legal aid, staffed with sufficient numbers of attorneys.

The panel concluded with a Q&A session, moderated by Doç. Dr. Ayşe Gönüllü Atakan, Director of the MCBU Women and Family Research and Application Center, and her deputies Prof. Dr. Duygu Alptekin and Prof. Dr. Aylin Çankaya.