An awareness-raising event was organized by AKAUM (Family and Women Research and Application Center), an internal academic unit of Final International University, in commemoration of 25 November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the anniversary of 5 December, the day Turkish women were granted the right to vote and be elected. The event aimed to address women’s rights from both historical and contemporary perspectives through academic discussion and artistic expression.

As part of the event, a student short film competition themed “Violence Against Women” was held, attracting strong participation from students across different faculties and departments. The competition focused on encouraging creative expression while raising social awareness about gender-based violence. The first prize, awarded with €200, was won by a team of students from the Faculty of Architecture. The winning team consisted of David Dintshiantshia, Hajar Mahfoud, Francine Asumini, and Khadija Harif. The second prize, worth €100, was awarded to a team composed of students from the Departments of English Language Teaching and Psychology. The second-place team included Eylül Karataş, Asya Nur Akkaya, and Yusuf Toprak. The third prize was awarded to students from the Department of English Language Teaching, who received an open buffet breakfast sponsored by Olive Tree Hotel. The third-place team consisted of Ceylan Yıldırım, Ilgın Yücel, and Cem Aslan.

The academic dimension of the event was enriched by a panel discussion featuring distinguished speakers. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Merdan Hekimoğlu, a faculty member of the Faculty of Law at Final International University, addressed the historical and legal development of women’s rights. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyza Bhatti, a faculty member at Girne American University, discussed economic inequalities and social challenges faced by women. Sibel Taçay Demirpençe, Head of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Women’s Shelter, shared valuable insights on mechanisms for combating violence against women and the current situation of women in Northern Cyprus.

During the panel, the historical and legal process leading to Turkish women’s right to vote and be elected was examined, alongside discussions on economic disparities and social and gender-based violence, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the current status of women in Northern Cyprus.

Through such academic and socially responsible initiatives, Final International University and AKAUM continue to promote awareness of women’s rights, strengthen students’ social responsibility, and contribute to the fight against gender-based violence.