Istanbul summit to bring together women for justice

Istanbul will host the Second International Women and Justice Summit next month, an event where women from around the world gather to discuss the problems they face. Jointly hosted by prominent non-governmental organization Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) and the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, the event on Nov. 25-26 has the theme "Speak Up for Justice!" and will start on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The summit aims to raise public awareness of women's problems on a national and international level. The two main focuses of the convention are "Women in Peace Processes" and "Syrian Refugee Women and Their Problems." The summit will also host workshops on cultural codes and manhood, women and peace, domestic violence and women refugees from Syria. Cabinet ministers from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Croatia will attend the summit. Almas Jiwani, president of the United Nations Women National Committee (Canada), will speak about women in employment while Farah Mohamed, founder of Girls 20, a women's initiative to advance labor force participation, will speak about women's role in politics, civic society and decision-making mechanisms.

The summit seeks to contribute to scientific research on women's studies and debate women's issues on an international level. KADEM President Sare Aydın said the summit aims to build a common, useful mindset to analyze the state of women's rights and their improvement in Turkey and in the world.