On the occasion of 8 March, International Women’s Day, the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara brought the discussion on women’s rights and access to justice into one of Türkiye’s most distinguished academic institution: the Faculty of Law of Ankara University. The project team working on women’s access to justice met with future judges, prosecutors, lawyers, scholars and public servants to reflect on the role of law in promoting equality. The session introduced students to Council of Europe standards, including the principles of the Istanbul Convention and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, highlighting how international human rights norms translate into concrete protection for women facing violence and discrimination.
More than a lecture, the event became an exchange across generations. Students engaged in a lively discussion on the barriers women face in seeking justice and the responsibility of legal professionals to respond with competence, sensitivity and commitment to human rights.
