Malatya Metropolitan Municipality, Malatya City Council Women's Assembly and our University jointly organised the “Women's Academy Education Programme”, and certificates were presented to 120 women who completed the programme at a ceremony.

The programme, held at the Malatya Nikah Sarayı Conference Hall as part of International Women's Day on 8 March, was attended by Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Sami Er, Mayor Sami Er's wife Sevgi Er, our University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. İlhan Erdem, Malatya City Council Secretary General Dr. Hasan Batar, Malatya City Council Women's Assembly President Saliha Bulut, Malatya Turgut Özal University Continuing Education Centre Director Cumali Aydoğan, female representatives of public institutions and organisations, educators who contributed to the women's academy training, women's NGOs, female village headwomen, Women's Assembly members and Women's Academy students.

Er: “Women shape society and guide the future”

In his speech before the discussion programme, Malatya Metropolitan Mayor Sami Er emphasised that women are present in every area of our lives, saying, "Together with women, who are the subjects of labour, love and compassion, we are walking towards a stronger Malatya. Their determination, desire to learn, and efforts to contribute to society inspire us.‘ Referring to women's role as mothers and saying that we all grew up under their care, Er said, ’Women shape society and guide the future. Our beliefs, sensitivities, and values have warned us for centuries that women's rights must be protected. We are trying to act with this awareness."

Referring to the meaning and importance of Women's Day, our University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. İlhan Erdem said, ‘On this important day, we have come to the end of an education programme that we have been running for two months at Turgut Özal University. I hope these trainings have been useful. God willing, we will continue to provide better training with you in the coming years.’

Dr. Hasan Batar, Secretary General of the Malatya City Council, emphasised that Malatya is gradually returning to its former vibrant days and stated that the Malatya City Council is carrying out numerous projects aimed at the social and cultural future of the city, primarily involving civil society organisations, public institutions and organisations, children, young people, the elderly and women. Batar said, ‘As a result of the training we provided to the members of the Women's Assembly, I believe that this training will be very beneficial in terms of women's role in social life, their role in family life, and also their role in the public sphere.’

'I hope that in the coming years, women will no longer be associated with violence and murder.'

Celebrating International Women's Day, Saliha Bulut, Chairwoman of the Malatya City Council Women's Assembly, said, "The world is becoming more beautiful and meaningful with women. Today, we are talking about violence and women's rights. No matter how extensive the rights are, they will not be sufficient without the necessary education and deterrent penalties.‘ Emphasising that women receive training in many areas through the Women's Academy programme, Bulut said, ’Today, we are also holding our women's certificate ceremony. I would like to thank Malatya Metropolitan Municipality, Malatya Turgut Özal University, and our university's esteemed faculty members for their support."

During the interview programme, Hatice Albayrak, Deputy Secretary General of the City Council, asked Malatya Metropolitan Mayor Sami Er questions about women's roles in social and community life and municipal services.

Following the interview programme, Malatya Metropolitan Mayor Sami Er presented plaques to the teaching staff who taught in the Women's Academy programme and certificates to the women who received training.