The 2nd Family and Women's Workshop was organized in collaboration between the Fatma Bacı Women's Studies Application and Research Center (FABKAM) at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and the School of Social Sciences. Held on December 19, 2025 at the Central Library Cinema and Event Hall, the workshop was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil and his esteemed wife Sultan Karahocagil, Kırşehir Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya and his esteemed wife Nurcan Çetinkaya, School of Social Sciences Director Prof. Dr. Ayfer Şahin, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Deputy Governor Çetinkaya: “Life is Beautiful When There Are Women”

The opening speech of the workshop was delivered by Kırşehir Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya. He expressed his pleasure at participating in the events at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. Noting that women have always been at the center of life, Çetinkaya said, “They are the crown of our heads.” Explaining that women are valued in Turkish civilization, Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya said that future generations should also be taught that women are valuable. “Life is beautiful when there are women,” said Çetinkaya, wishing the workshop success and thanking everyone who contributed to its organization.

Rector Karahocagil: “From traditional handicraft production to military and political activities, the Bacılar played a role in every aspect of social life and made the greatest contribution to the settlement of Anatolia.”

Later, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil took the floor and delivered a speech. In his speech, Rector Karahocagil referred to the purpose of the workshop and provided information about the Bacıyan-ı Rum Organization, which is considered the women's branch of the Ahilik organization, an association of male artisans, and is recognized as the world's first women's organization. Stating that the Bacıyan-ı Rum Organization is the most concrete demonstration of the active role women play in our civilization, including in social, cultural, and economic life, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil continued his speech by explaining that women, also known as the Anatolian Sisters, played a very active role in production, education, solidarity, and the preservation of social order, just like the Ahis, and that they acted with an understanding that centered the family but did not neglect society. He continued his speech as follows: "The Bacılar, who played a role in every area of social life, from traditional handicraft production to military and political activities, made the greatest contribution to the settlement of Anatolia. Seeing that many of the academic debates conducted today in the field of women's studies have actually been resolved and and found a place in society. Seeing that the Bacıyan established a civil organization that played a founding role in Anatolia during the dark ages of the Middle Ages, when women in the West were not considered human beings and were burned as devils or witches, is both inspiring and increases our sense of responsibility."

Rector Karahocagil: “This workshop held during the Year of the Family will lay the foundation for developing social models that will provide a remedy for the crises brought about by this era, which is characterized as the age of pleasure and speed.”
Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil stated that universities are not merely institutions that produce and transmit knowledge, but also institutions that keep social memory alive, reinterpret values, bring them into the present, and guide the future. He said, "As Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, we consider it one of our fundamental duties to keep alive the legacy of Ahi Evran-ı Veli and Fatma Bacı, whose names we bear, through our academic work, to bring this legacy in line with the needs of the age, to use it for the solution of social problems, and to bring social models derived from our ancient values into the present day." Rector Karahocagil explained that he believes the information to be shared, the discussions to be held, and the applications to be proposed within the scope of this workshop will offer new perspectives inspired by our ancient civilizational values regarding women, family, and social relations, and will make significant contributions to social awareness as well as academic knowledge production. Rector Karahocagil expressed his belief that the information shared, discussions held, and applications proposed during this workshop will offer new perspectives inspired by our ancient civilizational values regarding women, family, and societal relations, and will significantly contribute to academic knowledge production as well as social awareness. He also expressed his hope that this workshop, held during the Year of the Family, will lay the groundwork for developing social models that will serve as a remedy for the crises brought about by this era characterized as the age of pleasure and speed.
Following the opening speeches, Director of the Vocational School of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Ayfer Şahin delivered the opening lecture titled “The Role of Anatolian Women in the Construction of Anatolia.”

The 2nd Family and Women Workshop was held in three sessions under the main headings “Women's Rights, Women and Culture, From Art to Sports... Women Today.” During the day-long sessions, Prof. Dr. Bengü Bolat spoke on “Atatürk's Value and Rights for Women,” FABKAM Advisory Board Member Nurcan Çetinkaya spoke on “The Place and Importance of Women in Society,” and Lecturer M. İlay Vuslat Kaya spoke on "Positive Discrimination for Women... But How? Equality or Justice?“, Dr. Lecturer Ayşegül Turan ”Women's Health Literacy“, Lecturer Dr. Meryem Davutoğlu ”Being a Woman in Politics and Management", Dupont Protection Technologies - Contract Manager Başak Bulut “From Ancient Roots to Modern Times: The Transformation of the Warrior Woman,” FABKAM Director Dr. Lecturer Suzan Yıldırım "The Contribution of Women's Studies Centers to Cultural Transmission: The FABKAM Example,“ Dr. Simge Dindar Tıraş ”Football and Women: The Professional Experiences of Women Football Referees in Turkey,“ and Dr. Özlem Şenlik ”Women and Entrepreneurship."

2. The Family and Women Workshop concluded after participants were presented with plaques and certificates.