Balkan women meet at 'One Woman One Story' workshop organised in Skopje

The opening ceremony of the workshop, organised by ZOR Association with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), was held on Friday, 3 November at the Bushi Hotel in Skopje Turkish Bazaar.

The workshop on 'One Woman One Story', which is organised every year in different cities of the region in order to emphasise that the place of women in society is an undeniable fact and to introduce the leading actors behind each success story, was held in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia this year.

Successful women from North Macedonia, Kosovo, Sandzak and Western Thrace attended the workshop. Şükran Raif, TOÇEK Theatre manager from Western Thrace, Gülcan Mümin, an educator on behalf of WTMUGA, Hamdiye Bekir, an educator on behalf of Mufti's Office of Xanthi and Mediha Bekiroğlu, a needlework and embroidery teacher on behalf of GTGB made presentations about their success stories. Among the participants from Western Thrace, Sevtap Hint, WTMUGA Xanthi Branch Officer, also took part in the workshop.

'Balkan woman is strong'

Opening the programme, ZOR Association Founding President Hacer Suluoca said: "We came together in Skopje for the third of the events we held in 2021 with the Hatice Association in Novi Pazar and in 2022 with the women's branch of the Gerçek Association in Pristina. So far, we have listened to the beautiful stories of 30 women and turned them into a book."

Emphasising that Balkan women are strong, Suluoca said: "Balkan women are strong, Balkan women write history, Balkan women are leaders. Although they speak different languages, their goals are always the same, to complete their own identity, to live as a human being and to serve humanity. Seeking knowledge and wisdom from cradle to grave is their basic principle. They are ladies who have experienced the same struggle and destiny and are exemplary women in every field."

'Woman is the cornerstone of society'

Fidan Brina Jılta, MP of the Democratic Turkish Party of Kosovo, said in her speech: "Since the woman has the characteristic of fertility, she is the one who brings the human being into the world, gives him the first advice and raises him. Therefore, women have a special place in society and are the cornerstone of society."

Giving the message that she is in favour of supporting women, Jılta said: "As an elected female representative of the Kosovo Turkish community, I have always been in favour of supporting women. When we raise strong women who stand on their own feet, we will have a strong future."

'The success stories of our women will set an example for our youth'

Emphasising the importance of this workshop, TIKA Skopje Coordinator Mehmet Bayrak said: "The 'One Woman One Story' workshop we are organising today is of great importance because it brings together you, our esteemed women who have shaped the society they live in, contributed to both literary and economic life, and achieved success in their own lives and lives. I believe that the success stories we will listen to from you today and your experiences in achieving this success will set an example for our young people and contribute to the formation of new success stories."

In the continuation of her speech, Bayrak said, "This workshop is important in terms of strengthening solidarity and communication between you, esteemed women who have achieved success both in their private and working lives."

 Myqereme Rusi, Birsena Bajramovic, Nusreta Brunchevic, Mujesira Hamidovic, Amila Djafo Liçina, Şükran Raif, Gülcan Mümin, Hamdiye Bekir, Mediha Bekiroğlu, Şükra Tselina, Şenay Çerkez Yusuf, Labinote Demi Murtezi shared their success stories.

Within the scope of the workshop, products made by hand by women were also exhibited.