Akcoat and Sakarya University Deliver a “Stronger Together for Women” Message
In cooperation with Sakarya University, Akcoat held a panel themed “Stronger Together for Women” as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November. Designed to make women’s impact in business, social life and society more visible, the panel brought forward perspectives on women’s empowerment, social awareness, employment, women’s role and position in working life, safe living and support networks.
A subsidiary of Akkök Holding and a producer of ceramic, enamel, glass and advanced chemical solutions for nearly half a century, Akcoat brought the “Stronger Together for Women” panel—which it hosted internally last year—to a university setting this year to create broader social impact. Acting with the goal of turning the fight against violence against women into a sustainable culture, Akcoat held a comprehensive two-session panel in cooperation with Sakarya University’s Social Contribution and Sustainability Coordination Office (TOKAS) as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November. Held at Sakarya University’s Turgut Özal Culture and Congress Center, the event brought together a broad audience ranging from students and academics to public-sector representatives and private-sector employees, providing a strong platform for exchange aimed at increasing women’s social and economic visibility based on local experiences. The panel also featured examples of Akkök Holding and group companies’ projects focused on social benefit, women’s employment and equality. Participants included Assoc. Prof. Gözde Sezen Gültekin, Sakarya University Social Contribution Coordinator; Duygu Erzurumlu Cengiz, CHRO of Akkök Holding; Sibel Asna, Chair of the Armaş Foundation, and Foundation Director Gonca Doğan; sociologist Hilal Zulal Kaya from Sakarya ŞÖNİM; Ümmügülsüm Zor, Director of Sakarya University SESAM; and Havva Kamış, Akcoat Weighing Operator.
Prof. Dr. Köseoğlu: “A Multidimensional Issue That Violates Human Rights”
Opening the first session, Sakarya University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Özer Köseoğlu said that 25 November is an important day that reminds societies around the world that no form of violence against women can be accepted and that there must be zero tolerance in this area. Describing violence against women not as an individual matter but as a multidimensional issue that violates human rights, Köseoğlu emphasized the need for legal regulations, social policies, education processes, the business world and all stakeholders to act together. Sociologist Hilal Zulal Kaya stated that Sakarya’s Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM) has provided 24/7 services since 2016. Noting that anyone experiencing or at risk of violence can apply to ŞÖNİM, Kaya said: “As a violence prevention center, we also provide shelter services. For individuals who have experienced violence and face a high risk to their personal safety, and for whom shelter measures have been issued under Law No. 6284, we provide accommodation services to women and their accompanying children. People exposed to violence can benefit from this service for up to six months.”
An Unforgettable Performance by the Polifoni Group
Following the first session, Sakarya University State Conservatory’s Polifoni Group created a powerful atmosphere with a polyphonic performance that began among the audience and continued on stage. The students performed “Ünzile,” “Adım Kadın” and “Kırım Türküsü,” adding emotional depth to the panel and receiving strong applause from participants.
“When Women Are Empowered, Society Is Empowered”
Akkök Holding CHRO Duygu Erzurumlu Cengiz shared information on women’s employment rates across the Holding and group companies, mentoring programmes, the “Chemistry of Equality” and “Women’s Energy” projects, and practices that increase awareness and safety in the workplace. At the beginning of her remarks, Cengiz said: “There is a very important reason why we have gathered today under the message ‘Stronger Together’: preventing violence against women. This is the second year that Akcoat has organized this event. Our aim is to move social awareness beyond a single day, turn it into a sustainable culture and make this gathering a tradition.” Stating that economic independence is one of the strongest protective mechanisms in preventing violence against women, Cengiz added: “At Akkök Holding, we have made increasing women’s employment a strategic priority in male-dominated sectors such as energy, chemicals and advanced materials. Because we know that when women are empowered, society is empowered—and our future is strengthened.”
“I Enjoy My Work at Akcoat”
Akcoat Weighing Operator Havva Kamış also shared her own experience of transformation in a male-dominated production environment: “When I first joined Akcoat, I had concerns about working in a large workplace. I wondered both whether I would adapt and whether I could fulfill my responsibilities properly. However, the supportive working environment I encountered from the first day showed me that these concerns were unfounded. Thanks to the equipment, training and positive-action practices provided for women on the production floor, seeing that I could perform the same tasks as men strengthened my confidence. Training on industrial machinery also offered us an important opportunity to improve our skills. The value Akcoat places on women employees is the biggest reason I enjoy my work.”
