13/03/2026
The documentary screening and discussion titled “30 Years, 7 Stories: Following the Trail of the Beijing Platform for Action,” organized by Sabancı Business School with the support of UN Women, took place at Minerva Han as part of the March 8th International Women's Day celebrations. The event addressed the impact of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action over the past 30 years and the current state of women's rights in Türkiye.
Prof. Dr. Toker: “Gains in women's rights were achieved through struggle”
The opening speeches of the program were given by Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Toker, Dean of Sabancı Business School, and Duygu Arığ, Acting Deputy Director of UN Women Türkiye Office. Toker emphasized that March 8th is not only a day of remembrance, but also a critical opportunity to evaluate gains and setbacks. Highlighting the historical significance of the 4th World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, Prof. Dr. Toker noted that the Beijing Declaration, issued as a result of the Conference, defined women's rights as an integral part of universal human rights.
Stating that significant shortcomings still exist regarding gender equality on a global scale, Prof. Dr. Toker said, “According to the Global Gender Equality Report, no country in the world has fully achieved gender equality today. Türkiye ranks 135th out of the 148 countries included in the report.” She also stated that if progress continues at the current pace, it will take at least 100 years for women to achieve equality in management positions alone.
Prof. Dr. Toker stated that the event was organized not only to commemorate the anniversary, but also to recall the historical achievements of the women's movement and to discuss current political and social conditions, emphasizing that progress in the field of women's rights is the product of long-term struggles.
Duygu Arığ, who gave the opening speech on behalf of UN Women at the event, shared her views as follows: “This year's theme for International Women's Day on March 8th reminds us of something important: True equality is not possible without women's and girls' access to rights and justice. Justice is about access to opportunities, participation in decision-making, having one's voice heard, and living in safety. That is why the Beijing Declaration is still relevant today. And the stories we will see here today still guide us.”
Following the Documentary, the Achievements of the Beijing Process and its Effects on the Present Day were Discussed
After the opening, Esen Özdemir, Project Manager of the Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, gave a short speech. Özdemir stated that the Beijing Declaration is one of the most comprehensive frameworks globally in the field of women's rights, and that this platform, adopted by 189 countries, aims to empower women in a wide range of areas, from violence to the economy, politics, and decision-making processes.
Özdemir noted that the "30 Years, 7 Stories" project, prepared by UN Women, makes this process visible through the experiences of seven important figures who have contributed to the struggle for women's rights in Türkiye, emphasizing that social change often occurs through determined and courageous steps.
Following the speeches, the documentary was screened. In the discussion held after the screening, Prof. Dr. Fatmagül Berktay, Prof. Dr. Feride Acar, and Prof. Dr. Yakın Ertürk addressed the transformative impact of the Beijing Action Platform over thirty years, the current state of women's rights in Türkiye, and proposed solutions for the future. Academics who directly participated in the Beijing Conference shared both their historical experiences and their assessments of current conditions with the participants.
The event concluded with a group photo of the speakers and participants.
