1997 March International Women's Day with the organization of Bursa EU Information Center, which has been operating under the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) since 8, within the scope of the project to support the EU Information Centers Network in Turkey, implemented with the financial support of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Turkey. A significant event was held in .
A panel titled 'Disaster and Women' was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey in cooperation with the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality (EBB) on 'March 8, International Women's Day. With the organization of Bursa EU Information Center, women representatives of the business world and NGOs in Bursa also participated in the panel online. The panel, moderated by Journalist Afşin Yurdakul, was followed by BTSO Board Member Abidin Şakir Özen, Assembly Court Clerk Gülçin Güleç, TOBB Bursa KGK President Sevgi Saygın, Service Trade Council President Turgay Güler. In the panel, which brought together academics, women's organizations, representatives of national and international organizations, the experiences of women struggling with various problems in the disaster area were evaluated.
“EU Provides Aid From Day One”
Speaking at the opening of the panel, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Turkey, said, “The European Union and its member states have been providing assistance to Turkey since the first day of the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. The European Union has also conducted the largest search and rescue operation ever to save as many lives as possible.” said.
Ankara University Department of Political Science and Public Administration, City, Environment and Local Governments Policies Chair Professor. Dr. Nesrin Algan emphasized the importance of being a woman in the disaster area and said, “There are pregnant women in the disaster area. It is a different struggle for them. In order to solve the problems of women living under difficult conditions, it is absolutely necessary for women to take part in disaster management.” he said. Social Worker Women Coalition Member Gül Erdost, International Labor Organization (ILO) Turkey Office Gender and Social Dialogue Officer Dr. Ayşe Emel Akalın, Disaster Management Specialist, Founding Member of the Neighborhood Disaster Volunteers Association and Chairman of the Board Özden Işık also shared her views at the panel.
“A Psychologist and Female Representative Will Also Be Found in Our Aid Vehicles”
After the panel, hosted by BTSO, the participants discussed the aid efforts for the needs of women in the earthquake region. BTSO Board Member Abidin Şakir Özen stated that everyone has a great responsibility to heal the wounds of this great disaster that directly affects the lives of approximately 14 million people. Stating that they created a crisis desk by activating the understanding of mobilization from the moment of the earthquake, Özen said, “As BTSO, we rushed to the support of our citizens affected by the disaster with the strength we received from our more than 52 thousand members. We sent approximately 600 trucks containing the emergency supplies needed by the region to disaster areas. We also started an aid campaign on food and hygiene packages. In terms of shelter, which is one of the basic needs of our earthquake victims, we aim to rapidly implement our living center. We would also like to thank Bursa EU Information Center for this meaningful event they organized on March 8, International Women's Day.” said.
“Bursa Hosts 20 Thousand Earthquake Victims”
BTSO Assembly Council Clerk Gülçin Güleç said that they once again remembered the importance of unity and solidarity these days. Stating that there are approximately 20 thousand earthquake victims in Bursa, Güleç said, “Nearly 1.200 of them stay in hotels and 2 thousand in guesthouses of public institutions. We have earthquake survivors who cannot stay in hotels and guesthouses. As BTSO, we received the necessary information from our earthquake victims staying in their houses in Bursa. We will regularly provide the food, hygiene and children's packages they need. We will be in the aid vehicles together with our women representatives. Being in direct contact with our citizens will add a great moral value. In addition, 62 female psychologist friends will be with our earthquake victims. We will have these friends in each of our vehicles. I think it is very valuable that our valuable female representatives of the Bursa business world are with us in these works carried out under the umbrella of BTSO.” she spoke.
“Strong Women Who Put Their Hands Under The Stone Are With Us”
BTSO Assembly Member and TOBB Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Board Chairman Sevgi Saygın said that the great disaster shook everyone deeply. Saygin said, “The strong women who take the responsibility here are with us. I am sure that this cooperation will continue. We will provide the greatest support to women with this unity and togetherness. I would like to thank our female representatives of the Bursa business world for their efforts so far. I have no doubt that they will continue to support them in the future as well.” she said.
BTSO Service Trade Council President Turgay Güler said that they started a hygiene package aid campaign for earthquake victims in Bursa. Güler stated that the Disaster and Women panel is also important for raising social awareness and thanked Bursa EU Information Center for the organization.