UN Türkiye joins young people to “Shine a Light” at the 9th Orange Summit in İzmir

The 9th Orange Summit, a flagship event in Türkiye for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, took place in İzmir, uniting students, academics, civil society, and international organizations to raise awareness and demand action to end violence against women and girls.

Babatunde Ahonsi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the collective responsibility to end gender-based violence.

"Everyone has a role to play in ending violence against women and girls," he stated.

Ahonsi highlighted the summit’s theme, Shine a Light, which was also UN Women Türkiye’s local campaign motto, as a powerful symbol of unity and determination in the fight against this persistent human rights violation. He expressed the UN’s commitment to supporting Türkiye in its efforts, saying:

"We are happy as the UN to join all of you in your collective efforts to raise awareness and demand action against violence against women and girls. We need to work with urgency and determination. In Türkiye, in 2023, 308 women were killed by their partners or family members. This cannot be allowed to continue. These horrific human rights violations must stop."

Ahonsi called for sustainable solutions to reduce gender-based violence significantly, reflecting on his own experiences growing up with five sisters:

"I know that gender-based violence is almost 97% a problem for women and girls. Every problem contains within it the seed of its solution. This campaign is about working together to end violence against women and girls."

The event, hosted by Dokuz Eylül University’s Faculty of Business was organized by the university’s Platform UP International Sustainable Development Student Community, under the guidance of Lecturer Meltem Kolday.

"Today, we are gathered here to create change. We choose to shine a light in the darkness. We are the representatives of hope,"said Pınar Topçuoğlu, Chair of Platform UP. She continued:

"As our advisor Meltem Kolday always says, ‘The paths we take with kindness bring their own miracles.’ A society will achieve this miracle when it builds a future without violence. Let us shine a light on miracles together."

Kolday, the founder and advisor of Platform UP, reflected on the importance of creating spaces for intergenerational communication:

"In a rapidly changing world, teaching is no longer enough. We need to create experiential spaces that strengthen intergenerational communication. Through the right communication channels, we discover the power of kindness. I hope you always have people who value your efforts."

Kolday also expressed gratitude to UN agencies for their support, adding:

"This collaboration shows the importance of collective efforts in making a difference."

Speaking at the summit Dokuz Eylül University President Prof. Dr. Bayram Yılmaz emphasized the cultural and social significance of protecting women’s rights in Türkiye.

"In both our traditions and beliefs, women hold a place of honor and respect. It is a source of pride that Türkiye, under Atatürk's leadership, granted women the right to vote and be elected before many other countries” said Prof. Yılmaz and continued “We are also well aware of the special efforts and support our state leaders provide for the education of girls. It is a point of pride that the number of female students in our institutions is higher. From the emblems of the Seljuk era, symbolizing equality, to today’s initiatives, we prioritize ensuring better education for girls. This commitment is essential for building a brighter, stronger, and fairer Türkiye and world."

Prof. Dr. Yaprak Gülcan, Dean of the Faculty of Business said "The Orange Summit has become a cherished tradition, highlighting the critical importance of gender equality for economic and social development.”

“It is essential for men to contribute to building an equitable society. Ensuring that women not only have equal opportunities but also play active roles in decision-making processes is of great significance. Gender equality is directly linked to economic growth, and increasing women's participation in the workforce enhances the well-being of the entire society” she added. 

During the summit, participating schools showcased short videos highlighting the activities they conducted at their schools as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

UN Women Türkiye Director Asya Varbanova sent a video message to the Orange Summit. Selin Ünal from UNHCR, Yasemin Kalaycıoğlu from UNFPA, and Betül Bodur from UN Women addressed the students who filled the Prof. Dr. Ceyhan Aldemir Conference Hall at Dokuz Eylül University’s Tınaztepe Campus. At the end of the first day of the summit, all the students gathered on stage and held up letters spelling out "Shine a Light," delivering a powerful demonstration of the young generation’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

The Orange Summit, held annually as a cornerstone of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, aims to create lasting awareness and mobilize collective action. As the bright color orange symbolizes hope and a brighter future, this year’s summit inspired participants to continue the fight against gender-based violence long after the event's conclusion.