The declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Family Well-being" by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) necessitates rethinking social welfare, developing policies that prioritize the empowerment of women, and addressing the social structure from a holistic perspective. In line with this vision, the III. International Symposium on the Empowerment of Women and Family aims to discuss the relationships between women, social structure, and welfare policies through an interdisciplinary approach; to encourage the production of scientific knowledge; and to contribute to policy-making processes.
The symposium focuses on current academic discussions, social transformations, care labor, gender equality, and inclusive social structures aimed at strengthening women's positions in social, economic, cultural, and political life. At the same time, it aims to bring together high-quality studies that will contribute scientifically to the TRNC's 2026 vision.
In this context, we are pleased to invite academics, researchers, practitioners, representatives of civil society organizations, and policy-makers from different disciplines to present their original research, theoretical discussions, and field-based studies at the symposium, which will be organized by Prof. Dr. Kağan Günçe and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen.
Suggested Thematic Areas
1. Women, Empowerment and Social Transformation
- Women's empowerment and social transformation
- Gender equality and feminist approaches
- Women, leadership and decision-making processes
- Precarious labor, care economy and invisible labor
- Women's economic empowerment and entrepreneurship
- Women in disaster management and crisis periods
- Global warming and women
- Media and women
- Transforming roles of masculinity and fatherhood
2. Welfare, Care and Social Policies
- Welfare regimes and the concept of the welfare state
- Social protection systems
- Care labor and gender
- Intergenerational relations and care practices
- Poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion
- Rights-based approaches and welfare models
- Family-based preventive approaches against child neglect and abuse
3. Education, Health and Social Services
- Gender equality in education
- Child welfare and well-being
- Mental health, emotional labor and care burden
- Individuals with special needs, ageing and social support services
- Family/care-oriented approaches in health systems
- Inclusivity in education and family participation
- Family communication and conflict resolution skills
- Family support services and social assistance
4. Migration, Culture and Inclusivity
- Migration, multiculturalism and social relations
- Identity, belonging and exclusion
- Cultural norms and gender roles
- Stigmatization, representation and discrimination
5. Digitalization, Technology and Social Life
- The effects of digitalization on everyday life
- Artificial intelligence, care technologies and ethics
- Social media, parenting and youth cultures
6. Living with Individuals with Special Needs, Inclusivity and Resilience
- Psychosocial well-being
- Transformation of family roles and care burden
- Siblings and invisible effects
- Trauma, uncertainty and future anxiety
- Resilience and coping strategies
Abstract Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts must be between 200–300 words.
- Abstracts may be submitted in Turkish or English.
- The aim and methodology of the research must be clearly stated in the abstract.
- For completed studies, findings and contributions to the field should be indicated.
- For ongoing studies, expected results and potential contributions should be stated.
- The author(s)' name and surname, institution, e-mail address, and ORCID information must be included.
- Abstracts should be submitted through the “Abstract Submission" section at: https://ukags.emu.edu.tr/tr
- For further information about the symposium, please contact: ukags@emu.edu.tr
