The Preventive Role of Culture in Women’s Empowerment: Possibilities and Challenges


Date posted: April 6, 2016

On the occasion of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW60), Peace Islands Institute, The Journalists and Writers Foundation, UN Women Liberia, Ufuk Dialogue Foundation, The Rainbow Intercultural Dialogue Center and the Thailand Achievement Institute collaborated to organize a side-event entitled “The Preventive Role of Women in Women’s Empowerment: Possibilities and Challenges” on 17 March 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters.

Dr. Nuray Yurt, the Director of Peace Islands Institute New Jersey, delivered a welcome speech and introduced the speakers to the audience. Dr. Yurt said that the impact of beliefs, traditions and cultures could be turned into possible opportunities, which can strengthen women’s empowerment.

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Julia Duncan Cassell informed the audience on women’s life in Liberia. According to H.E. Cassell, in order to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goal #5, as well as becoming active at the political and social life, it is necessary to accept, practice and utilize local traditions and culture. H.E. Cassell finalized her speech by saying “Women do not only want to be seen, but also be heard. In an environment that provides equal educational opportunities, women can do everything that men can do. Give us the chance to rise at the top!”

Following H.E. Cassell`s remarks, Awa Ndiaye Seck, the UN Women Representative of Liberia, stated that culture is not an obstacle to women, but the way its been used is hindering women`s potential. “We can use culture to strengthen women’s status on financial and socio-economic matters by talking about its advantages and disadvantages. In addition, it is not itself that prevents us from doing what we do, but the way we use it, said Seck.

At the beginning of her speech, Roberta Clarke, the UN Women Regional Director of Asia and Pacific, who is also the Representative of Thailand, called the audience’s attention to the cultural movement: “None of us live the lives of our grandmothers or mothers, but nevertheless women have to face inequalities and discriminations in all areas of daily life.“ According to Clarke, the different approaches, visions, models and roots of each country and their circumstances and priorities should be used to enhance women’s status.

Last but not least, Dr. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, who is an Associate Professor on Religious Studies at Nasarawa State University, addressed her speech on eliminating violence against women through traditional mechanism from the Nigerian perspective. Dr. Liman said that the key strategy to overcome cultural obstacles that prevent women and girls empowerment is to support their education in order to overcome their lack of educational status. Dr. Liman concluded her remarks by saying that “Why we do not use religion to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and support women’s education and empowerment.

Source: Peace Islands Institute , March 2016


Related News

2017 Victoria Parliament Iftar dinner

This year’s Victorian State Parliament Iftar Dinner took place in Sofitel Hotel’s Latrobe Ballroom on Monday, 5 June 2017. Organised by the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS), the event was attended by over 200 guests, including about state and federal members of Parliament and representatives from the Melbourne consular corps.

Fethullah Gülen issued the following statement on Turkey’s extradition request

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today once again demonstrated he will go to any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics. It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup. I urge the US government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas.

Turkish aid group sending rescue team and disaster relief to Nepal

The Turkish humanitarian aid organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) has announced that it has dispatched a search and rescue team to quake-stricken Nepal and also pledged TRY 100,000 in disaster relief.

Report: White House denies remarks attributed to Obama about Gülen

White House has reportedly denied remarks attributed to US President Barack Obama about Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, describing them as “not accurate.” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Thursday during a live TV interview that Obama received “the message” about his complaint of Gülen residing in the US.

Catholics, Hizmet bring faiths closer in the US

In the view of doomsday reports from the US, it does not come as a surprise how ordinary Americans from all faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, have worked meticulously to bridge the gap and sheer absence of dialogue between these three Abrahamic religions especially in the context of post 9/11 world. SAURABH KUMAR SHAHI | […]

Enes Kanter – A Dervish in the NBA

The first time I went to Oklahoma City, I was wondering, how am I going to do this? I’m a Muslim player, I pray 5 times a day, fast, eat halal food. So when I got to OKC, I told the chefs, the organization, I’m a Muslim, I need to do this, this, this. They were so respectful.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

US conference discusses Gülen movement contributions to peace

Gulen-linked org’s statement on Turkish Govt’s arrest of pro-Kurdish Parliamentarians

Religious leaders, politicians have iftar in Nigerian capital

Scholars to Address Nigerian Conference

Turkic American Convention kicks off with opening gala cruise

Paris attacks, New Turkey and oppressing Hizmet

Guests Rub Elbows With Senators, Mayors At 2012 Greenville Dialogue Dinner

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News