16 Days of Activism Panel at Hasan Kalyoncu University highlights youth role in ending violence against women

“Violence against women is not inevitable. It is preventable” said Tom Delrue Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Türkiye. 

Speaking at the panel discussion titled “Let’s Stop Violence Against Women Together” held at Hasan Kalyoncu University in Gaziantep within the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence Delrue emphasized the transformative potential of youth in creating a safer, more equitable world. “This room is filled with hope, ambition, and the boundless potential of young minds,” he stated. “You are the leaders, decision-makers, and change-makers who can help build a world where no woman or girl has to live in fear—a world free from gender-based violence.”

The panel, organized by UN Women, UNFPA, and UNDP in partnership with Hasan Kalyoncu University’s Women and Family Research and Application Centre emphasized the pivotal role of young people in combating gender-based violence, championing gender equality, and driving societal change. Held on December 5, 2024, the event brought together approximately 200 students.

In his opening remarks, Head of RCO Delrue highlighted alarming global statistics, emphasizing the urgency of collective action. He noted that, on average, 140 women and girls are killed every day by someone in their own family. Every 10 minutes, a woman loses her life at the hands of a partner or family member, and one in three women worldwide continues to experience physical or sexual violence.

 “These are not just numbers—they are a call to action,” he urged. “Violence against women is not inevitable. It is preventable.”

“Your voices, creativity, and leadership can inspire change and spread awareness across communities” Delrue told the students. 

Additionally, Delrue introduced the Pact for the Future, a landmark agreement adopted in September by world leaders, which prioritizes gender equality as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development. “This Pact underscores the importance of integrating gender equality into all aspects of international cooperation,” he noted.

Associate Professor Zeynep Özgüner, Director of the Women and Family Research and Application Centre, expressed her hope in her opening remarks that the event would inspire meaningful action and guide efforts to combat violence against women and girls. “Those who stand against violence against women are catalysts for societal change,” she emphasized.

Professor Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Vice President of Hasan Kalyoncu University, highlighted in her speech that December 5, the date of the event, marks the anniversary of granting women the right to vote and be elected in 1934. She emphasized that Türkiye was among the first countries in the world to recognize this right for women. Professor Küçükerdoğan expressed her desire to collaborate further with the United Nations, particularly on issues of equality, and underscored the importance of love in building a better future. “If we want to live in a just, equal, and loving future, we must stand together” she said.

Representatives of UN agencies, Gözde Bingüler Eker, Gender Equality Specialist at UN Women; Eda Özyurt Kılınç, Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies Programme Specialist at UNFPA; and Hamit Doğan, Regional Coordinator at UNDP, spoke about their agency’s efforts to end violence against women and girls in the region and in Türkiye. 

Concluding the event, the university’s Vice President presented certificates of appreciation to the UN representatives, acknowledging their efforts in raising awareness and fostering dialogue with the next generation of changemakers.

The panel reinforced the message that addressing violence against women requires continuous advocacy, collaboration, and action—not just for 16 days, but every day of the year.