Üsküdar Üniversitesi Solution-Oriented Women's Issues Application and Research Center (ÜSÇÖZÜM) discussed women's issues in all their aspects at the March 8 International Women's Day Panel. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stated that the biggest reason for conflicts between couples in the family is the lack of division of labor. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Women have dual careers, men have single careers. Motherhood and being a homemaker are both careers. Being in business life is also a career. Unfortunately, in our culture, men leave fatherhood to women. This is also a cultural weak point that needs to change. If we reorganize role sharing within the family in this way, domestic and gender-based violence will decrease. We cannot learn problem-solving styles.”
Üsküdar District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, officials from the Istanbul Governorship Provincial Directorate of Family, Labor and Social Services Women's Services Branch Istanbul Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM) and Üsküdar Municipality, as well as experts from NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital, participated in the online event held due to the pandemic.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We Have Prejudices Stemming from Patriarchal Culture”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that discrimination regarding women's rights has been observed in many developed countries from ancient civilizations to the present day. Tarhan said, “Historically, during the French Revolution, discussions were held in France asking ‘Are women human or not?’ Humanity has such periods. The USA, where the biggest struggle against slavery was waged, became the place where International Women's Day began due to discrimination against working women. There are no such major breaking points in our culture, but our societal perceptions regarding women's presence in social life still continue. We have some prejudices. Many of the characteristics stemming from patriarchal culture are actually Mesopotamian culture. As in Mesopotamian culture, during the Roman and Babylonian periods, women were seen as property moving from their father's house to their husband's house. In India and throughout Asia, they were also viewed as slaves.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The Greatest Rights for Women Were Given During the Period of Prophet Muhammad”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that the greatest rights for women were given during the period of Prophet Muhammad, and said: “Inheritance, divorce, and many legal rights were granted. However, after the 60-70 year Asr-i Saadet (Age of Bliss) period, all rights rapidly regressed. There are three types of women in the life of Prophet Muhammad. One is his first wife, Hz. Khadijah, with whom he remained monogamous until her death and who was also the first Muslim. The second is the role of Hz. Fatima, daughter of Hz. Aisha, wife of Hz. Ali. She was a woman's role overshadowed by men. The third was Hz. Aisha, who spoke openly and engaged in intellectual debates. Here, there are three important roles to be defined. The culture we call Mesopotamia revived with the Umayyads. Hz. Fatima was chosen as a role model because she was overshadowed by men. This understanding has persisted until now. The role of Hz. Aisha has rarely come to the forefront. In the 21st century, this role needs to be revived in the Islamic world. It is one of our cultural resources that can be a symbol of women's liberation and the equality of rights and opportunities between genders. We should not overlook this.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “It is Also Necessary to Address the Causes of Violence”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that instead of saying what everyone wants to hear on this special day, it is necessary to address solution-oriented problems, and said: “One of the centers we established at the foundation of Üsküdar Üniversitesi was the ‘Solution-Oriented Women’s Issues Application and Research Center’. Our lecturer Aylin Tutgun Ünal is the director of that center. Why did we establish this center? We called it solution-oriented. Usually, there is violence, and punitive measures are always discussed regarding it, but only the consequences are dealt with. The causes should also be addressed.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Powers Were Equalized in the Age of Information”
Stating, “There are neglected values in our culture that need to be revived. We need to activate these values,” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan continued, “Globally, there is a psychosocial change. Until Industry 3.0, patriarchal doctrines were always at the forefront regarding women's issues because physical strength was important. Until the 20th century, the physically stronger person prevailed. After the age of information began in the 21st century, physical strength was replaced by the power of knowledge. Where the power of knowledge is superior, physical strength receded into the background. The capacity of women and men to teach knowledge is accepted at the same level. Men can no longer dominate by using their physical strength or testosterone. In family and relationships, men must act through persuasion and conviction, not by intimidation and coercion with physical strength. Now, instead of physical strength, men will also use their mental power and cultural values. Relationships will be developed in this way.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “A Woman Raising a Good Child is Also Important”
Reminding that the women's liberation movement became prominent in the world after the 60s due to cultural changes in traditional teachings, and that the feminist movement started in the 1960s, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the starting point of feminism was women's greater involvement in social life. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that the starting point of feminism was beneficial and good, and said, “It is important for women to be more involved in social life, to enter social roles, but to do so without neglecting their motherhood role. Here, the balance was lost. There was an understanding that relegated motherhood to the background. A woman raising a good child is no less important than establishing a good factory. Because the greatest investment is the investment made in people.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “If Role Sharing is Correct, There is No Conflict”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that when discussing family dynamics, they proceed by separately defining the roles of women and men, spouse roles, father roles, businessman, and businesswoman roles, and said, “If role sharing is correct, there is no conflict. If a woman chooses to work, in such situations, she has a motherhood role alongside her businesswoman role. In such cases, the father must also help the mother. If there is role sharing, it becomes possible for men to adapt to women's inclusion in social life and their liberation, as taught in our traditional teachings.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Women Have Dual Careers, Men Have Single Careers”
Pointing to the importance of role sharing between women and men in the family, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “I want to share one of the examples we see. In our society, women traditionally act self-sacrificingly with the logic of ‘a female bird makes the nest,’ and they also work. Children grow up, get married, and leave. In such situations, they are left alone at home. The woman asks her husband for help with housework. The man resists these demands. The woman had given her husband sovereignty in the house until then. Suddenly, after the age of 50, she tells him to step down from that throne. The man does not accept this. These situations are also the biggest reason for divorces after the age of 50. Women have dual careers; men have single careers. Motherhood and being a homemaker are both careers. Being in business life is also a career. Unfortunately, in our culture, men leave fatherhood to women. This is also a cultural weak point that needs to change. If we reorganize role sharing within the family in this way, domestic and gender-based violence will decrease. We cannot learn problem-solving styles. This requires education.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We Want to Undertake a Major Project”
Stating that it is too late once one only deals with the consequences and reaches the point of violence, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Therefore, as a team, we have a project on violence against women and domestic violence. We want to carry out a major project with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Family and Social Policies. We see that projects have been done, but they are not comprehensive. We want to do what has never been done before. This year's March 8 International Women's Day has been very meaningful for us.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Being First in Violence Against Women is Shameful”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that according to statistics, the country ranks first among OECD countries in violence against women, and said, “The United States is second, and New Zealand is third. There is a seriously embarrassing situation. We need to confront this reality. Why are we first in the world for violence against women? This is a shameful situation and needs to be corrected. There is a cultural teaching that seeks to solve problems not through persuasion and conviction, but through brute force. Unfortunately, the men who do this are also educated by women, meaning mothers. Mothers also need to teach their children about equal opportunities and rights for women and men. There are very positive developments in this direction in Turkey. Our daughters can receive more education and express themselves more.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi made a decision today and noted that he would sign a support plan for the United Nations' ‘Women's Empowerment Principles’ on behalf of the university.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Sexism is Also Racism”
Tarhan noted that Üsküdar Üniversitesi adopted the 7 principles under the “Women’s Empowerment Principles” (WEPs), established within the scope of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and “UN Women”, and added that gender discrimination is also a form of racism. Tarhan stated that they give full support to the UN in the fight against social discrimination and made the following evaluations:
“Gender discrimination is no different from racial discrimination. Just as mistreating someone because their skin color is black or yellow is racism, so is sexism. If a person is discriminated against due to their gender despite their merit, it is a violation of human rights. Here, it is necessary to correctly define social gender. Until the age of 18, parents are the natural guardians of children. A child learns the models of the society they are born into in their sexual identity development. The United Nations defines gender equality as follows: ‘Gender refers to the socially constructed characteristics of women, men, girls, and boys.’ This includes issues, behaviors, and roles related to being a woman, man, girl, and boy, as well as their relationships with each other. As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and over time. Here, when we talk about gender equality under the name of social gender, gender equality in rights and opportunities is justified and beneficial. However, disregarding the cultural attitudes of parents regarding changing the sexual identity of women and men, and advocating for genderlessness in this regard, leads to new problems. Gender equality is not genderlessness. This needs to be emphasized. Representing women and men in society with roles appropriate to their biological gender and forming a sexual identity is the cultural right and value of every society. This also needs to be respected.”
Üsküdar District Governor Demiryürek: “The Administration Leaves Nothing to Chance”
Üsküdar District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek spoke about the efforts they carried out within the scope of combating violence against women in their district. Demiryürek noted that the Family and Violence Against Women Combat Bureaus established within the district police departments only work on this issue, and said, “In 2019, there were 1071 applications to this bureau, and in 2020, we see that the number of applications decreased to 817, which I believe is also due to the public's increased sensitivity. In 2019, we took 2083 protective measures. In 2020, our number of protective measures decreased to 1639. While we placed 31 women in shelters in 2019, we placed 33 women in shelters in 2020. Here, I would like to draw your attention to one point: while the number of protective measures in 2019 decreased in 2020, there is a slight increase in the number of women placed in shelters. I see this as a reflection of the public's increased sensitivity on the administration. The administration leaves nothing to chance and strives to operate all mechanisms, including placing women in shelters, to prevent any potential negative incidents.”
District Governor Demiryürek stated that a stronger will should be demonstrated in preventing violence against women, and said, “My personal opinion is that this will should take on a social identity. Another belief of mine is that the problem is not just a woman's problem, but a family problem. I believe that isolating women from the family and perceiving them as solitary beings will not provide much benefit in solving the problem.”
Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal: “Psychological Violence Must Also Be Taken Seriously”
Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal, Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Solution-Oriented Women's Issues Application and Research Center (ÜSÇÖZÜM), also provided information about the center's goals and activities. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal stated that ÜSÇÖZÜM aims to support research that investigates the sources of problems experienced by women in Turkey from an individual to societal impact perspective, and to develop solutions, adding, “Furthermore, it aims to contribute to the proliferation of women's studies within Üsküdar Üniversitesi and to develop planning and strategy related to the issue. Violence against women is not only physical. Psychological violence can be neglected and not taken seriously, as well as treatment/preventive work. Mobbing is an increasingly widespread problem in business, social, and private life. Mobbing can be evident in a certain pattern, but the most insidious form is when a person is ignored. Awareness is essential to start preventive work. Psychological well-being begins in childhood; a woman is first and foremost a mother.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten: “Women’s Work Productivity Declined Much More Than Men’s During the Pandemic”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten, in her presentation titled “Covid-19 Pandemic and Motherhood,” drew attention to the increased burden on women, especially at home. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten referred to the research results from this period and said, “It has been determined that women working from home lost their helpers for childcare and cleaning, the possibilities for ordering food from outside largely disappeared, women's psychological states were negatively affected more than men's, they were more stressed, women's work productivity declined much more than men's, and work productivity decreased more as the number of household members increased.”
Expert Clinical Psychologist Ayşe Şahin: “Supermom Syndrome Tires Women”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Expert Clinical Psychologist Ayşe Şahin stated that women face psychological problems due to their roles in home and work life. Ayşe Şahin, stating that while women's roles are limited to housework and private life, men are given a productive role taking on financial responsibilities, said, “The desire to meet demands in work and family life can make it difficult for women to balance roles. Women experience problems such as fatigue, depression, and difficulty concentrating while trying to be the best with supermom syndrome.”
Explained ŞÖNİM’s Activities
Elmas Tokmak from the Istanbul Governorship Provincial Directorate of Family, Labor and Social Services Women's Services Branch Istanbul Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM), who participated in the panel, provided information about the center's activities. Elmas Tokmak stated that ŞÖNİM provides guidance and counseling services in psychological, vocational, legal, and social fields, as well as services for victims of violence and individuals who perpetrate/are likely to perpetrate violence, aimed at preventing violence and monitoring precautionary decisions.”
Üsküdar State Hospital Expert Social Worker Burcu Gündüz, in her presentation titled “Social Gender Equality (Inequality),” drew attention to sexist language encountered in every area of daily life.
Üsküdar Municipality Social Support Services Directorate Social Services Professional Feriha Ebru Özkan gave information about the Women's Shelter, which has been providing services to women since 2008 under the municipality's roof.
Journalist Elif Sezgin, stating that men predominantly hold management positions in the media sector, said that the presence of women should increase and that sexist language used in the media should be abandoned.
Ophthalmologist and artist Hakan Kahraman, who congratulated the female participants on International Women's Day at the panel, also gave a small concert.