The “5th Reproductive Health Exhibition and HIV/AIDS Awareness Symposium” was held by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Midwifery Department, and the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation. The symposium addressed how stigmatization complicates access to treatment, why HIV/AIDS awareness is vital, and the importance of early diagnosis and regular screening in women's health. It was also emphasized that sexual health and reproductive rights are fundamental human rights. Experts highlighted the critical role of midwives in public health, stating that awareness can only be achieved through strong advocacy.
Students from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Midwifery and Nursing Departments attended the event held at NP Health Campus.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan: “Very important roles fall upon us”
The opening speeches of the event were delivered by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Midwifery Department Deputy Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan. Esencan said; “We hold our symposium regularly every year, and before that, we have an exhibition.
The theme of our symposium is reproductive health rights. There will be talks on reproductive health rights and developing HIV awareness. Reproductive rights, sexual assault, and awareness of these are among the primary duties of basic midwifery services. Very important roles fall upon us.
Within the scope of the symposium, we will once again remember our duties. By realizing once again how important our position is through the presentations, we will fulfill our duty with this awareness,” she stated.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demir Yıldırım: “We midwives are advocates for society”
Subsequently, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Midwifery Department faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demir Yıldırım made evaluations on patient privacy and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Yıldırım said; “In the world, both the slow destruction of nature and numerous problems related to people are being experienced. For these, continuous emergency intervention planning and planning for a sustainable future are being attempted. Where will we, midwives and nurses, be in these plans? What responsibilities do we have to ensure the continuation of human rights and the well-being of humanity? Actually, we want to organize this symposium every year to discuss these issues. Because we, midwives and nurses, are advocates for society. Especially in the context of midwifery, we are advocates for women's rights. Therefore, we need to discuss in detail where and how we should stand and what we need to advocate for. Today, we must defend women's rights,” she said.
Midwife Nurşen Kanbur: “Many sexual health issues can lead to diseases”
Nurşen Kanbur, Midwife and Representative of the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation, delivered a presentation titled “Sexual Health and Reproductive Health Rights.” Kanbur said; “Many sexual health problems can cause diseases. Sexual health is not just about reproduction or the health of our sexual organs, but a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is a healthy state of life and an individual's knowledge about their own body. When you enter the profession, you will see that women, especially, do not know their own bodies. They have no knowledge about their bodies. Every person should know their body. Establishing safe and respectful relationships is also important. We also need to feel safe in the relationships we have,” she stated.
Lecturer Meryem Koçaslan Toran: “Early treatment, screening, and regular screening need to be strengthened”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Midwifery Department Lecturer Meryem Koçaslan Toran delivered her presentation titled “The Invisible Chronic Burden of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women's Health.” Toran stated; “To reduce the invisible chronic burden of sexually transmitted diseases in women, biological susceptibility and social inequality were addressed together. A strong approach needs to be emphasized here. Again, early treatment, screening, and regular screening need to be strengthened. Increasing access to preventive medications, which we call prophylaxis, and other protection methods is also important. I believe these will play a central role in alleviating the invisible chronic burden,” she said.
Lecturer Didem Kurap Öcebe: “Globally widespread…”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Midwifery Department Lecturer Didem Kurap Öcebe delivered a presentation titled “Community-Based Midwifery in the Fight Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” Öcebe, who spoke about the prevalence and effects of HIV/AIDS in the world and Turkey, said; “Sexually transmitted diseases are commonly observed worldwide. They seriously threaten public health, and these cases are progressively increasing. The actual aim in public health is to ensure the reduction of the economic burden, thereby targeting the reduction of sexually transmitted diseases. Globally, over one million cases of sexually transmitted diseases emerge each year. The emergence of HIV and the increase in case numbers are actually related to sexually transmitted diseases,” she stated.
Lawyer Özge Fındık: “Being aware of health rights is vitally important”
Lawyer Özge Fındık from the Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği (Children and Women First Association) addressed the topic of “The Effects of Gender on HIV-AIDS.” Fındık, who touched upon the legal rights of victims of violence against women, said; “Being aware of the health rights that a victim of sexual violence can demand is vitally important. At the police station or hospital, we primarily recommend the following: the victim should not wash to prevent the loss of evidence, hands should not be cleaned to allow DNA samples to be taken from under the fingernails, and clothes should absolutely not be discarded but placed in an evidence bag,” she stated.
Following the presentation of participation certificates to the speakers, the symposium concluded with a group photo session.
The 5th Reproductive Health Exhibition was also held
Within the scope of the symposium, the 5th Reproductive Health Exhibition, organized this year, was also presented to the attention of participants in the foyer area.
The exhibition featured informative materials on reproductive health, sexual health, HIV/AIDS awareness, and gender themes.
Posters, models, and awareness-raising activities prepared by students offered a significant awareness experience to both aspiring health professionals and visitors.