FINAL DECLARATION
The International Mardin Women’s Symposium, organised on 1-3 November 2018 by the Governorship of Mardin, Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, DİKA (Dicle Development Agency), GAP (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration and Hasan Kalyoncu University has ended.
At the symposium, papers were presented on women’s rights, gender politics, violence against women, women’s employment, girls’ education, women’s health, migration and women, women and the media, and women and terrorism. In the context of the papers presented, suggestions and solutions regarding women and their problems were put forward. Accordingly:
- Every human being is born with dignity.
- No discrimination among people can be accepted.
- Every woman has, and must have, inviolability of life, mind, property, religion and honour.
- Every woman must be kept away from all kinds of violence, pressure and threats.
- Every woman has the right to own property, to receive her share of inheritance, to receive an education, to enjoy freedom of belief and worship, and to be treated in a manner befitting her dignity and respectability.
- Unfortunately, phenomena in the field of criminal law that point to violence against women, such as ‘honour killings’, ‘customary killings’, ‘harassment’ and ‘rape’, have not been eliminated. Problems in Civil Law, Constitutional Law, Labour and Administrative Law, and Criminal Law should be placed on the agenda of the relevant committees of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM).
- The necessary sensitivity should be shown in implementing policies of equal opportunity between women and men.
- For social awareness of women’s rights, not only women but also men need to be educated.
- Women’s entrepreneurship should be supported.
- No social development can be conceived without women.
- A new language should be built against the objectification of women and towards their being subjects. The process should be supported by academic studies.
- Issues such as inheritance and alimony that cause victimisation of women should be reviewed, and regulations should be made to place women under legal protection in the process.
- Migration and refugee status, which are among the most important global problems of our time, deeply affect women and children in particular. Work on social and cultural integration should be carried out in the process.
- Women’s participation in the labour force should be supported in every field.
- For women to become more active in the business world, cooperation should be established among NGOs working for women, and annual targets should be set with a holistic approach.
- Raising awareness among families during girls’ education is also extremely important. Training programmes for mothers and fathers should be organised.
- The rights granted to mothers, such as maternity leave and nursing leave, must not be perceived by employers as situations that reduce productivity and make it harder to employ women. It is essential to educate employers on this matter. Every child born is the future of our country. Raising our children properly is the shared responsibility of all our citizens.
- Women’s and children’s health are among the topics that require particular attention. Women must be able to benefit fully from health services.
- By making documentary films about women, topics such as women’s rights, violence against women and migration problems should be made visible.
- It is important to carry out cultural work to prevent the spread and prevalence of prejudice and discrimination against refugees and/or migrants.
- In the context of current international debates, as in the political, social and economic fields, women should be enabled to take an active role in combating terrorism and developing security policies.
- In addition to the current responsibilities of today’s women, work should be done so that they adapt to the digital world in a well-equipped manner. After media and social media literacy are acquired, new roles also need to be developed as parents.
- Work should be done to increase the number of women in senior management and decision-making mechanisms.
- In our society, where, owing to incorrect religious interpretations and opinions, it is perceived as a right that men may discipline and chastise women, the Presidency of Religious Affairs should draw attention to the issue and contribute to developing a new tone.
- It was deemed necessary to carry out work on establishing “counselling centres” for migrants who have experienced forced migration.