Akcoat and Sakarya University Hold ‘Together We Are Strong for Women’ Panel

Akcoat organized a panel titled "Together We Are Stronger for Women" in collaboration with Sakarya University as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. The panel, aimed at making the impact of women in working life, social life and society visible, addressed topics including women's empowerment, social awareness, employment, women's position in working life, safe living and support networks.

Akcoat, a subsidiary of Akkök Holding with approximately half a century of experience in ceramics, enamel, glass and advanced chemicals production, brought the panel to the university environment this year with broader social impact goals. Organized in cooperation with Sakarya University's Office for Social Contribution and Sustainability (TOKAS), the two-session panel took place at the Turgut Özal Culture and Convention Center. The event, which brought together a wide audience ranging from students to faculty members, from public representatives to private sector professionals, offered a strong platform for sharing aimed at increasing the social and economic visibility of women by drawing on local experiences. During the panel, projects by Akkök Holding and group companies focused on social benefit, women's employment and equality were also shared with examples.

The panel was held with the participation of Sakarya University Social Contribution Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Gözde Sezen Gültekin, Akkök Holding CHRO Duygu Erzurumlu Cengiz, Armaş Foundation Board Chairman Sibel Asna and Director Gonca Doğan, Sakarya Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center Sociologist Hilal Zulal Kaya, Sakarya University Gender Equality and Women's Studies Center Director Ümmügülsüm Zor and Akcoat Weighing Operator Havva Kamış.

Prof. Köseoglu: "Violence against women is a multidimensional problem that violates human rights"
Sakarya University Vice Rector Prof. Özer Köseoglu, who delivered the opening remarks of the panel, drew attention to 25 November being a global awareness day against violence against women, emphasizing that no form of violence is acceptable. Noting that violence against women is not an individual issue but a multidimensional social problem that violates human rights, Köseoglu stressed the need for all stakeholders, from legal arrangements to the business world, to act together on this matter.

Sociologist Hilal Zulal Kaya noted that the Sakarya Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNIM) has provided 24/7 services since 2016, stating that anyone experiencing or at risk of violence can apply to the center. Kaya shared information about accommodation services provided to women and children under Law No. 6284.

Emotional performance by the Polyphony Group
Following the first session, the Sakarya University State Conservatory Polyphony Group created a powerful atmosphere in the hall with their polyphonic performance consisting of "Ünzile," "My Name is Woman" and "Crimean Turkish Song," receiving enthusiastic applause from participants.

"When women are empowered, society is empowered"
Akkök Holding CHRO Duygu Erzurumlu Cengiz shared the holding's and group companies' projects to increase women's employment, mentoring programs and social benefit-focused initiatives such as "Chemistry of Equality" and "Women's Energy."
Emphasizing that economic empowerment of women plays a critical role in preventing violence, Cengiz said, "When women are empowered, society is empowered, our future is empowered."

"I do my work at Akcoat with passion"
Akcoat Weighing Operator Havva Kamış, one of the panel's notable speakers, shared her transformation in a male-dominated production environment:

"When I first started at Akcoat, I had concerns about working in a large facility. However, thanks to the training we received, the equipment provided and the supportive work environment, I realized I could easily do the work that men do. This greatly increased my confidence. The value that Akcoat gives to its women employees is the biggest reason I do my work with passion."