The Spring Term of the “Politics and Leadership School,” organized by the Cyprus Turkish Entrepreneurial Women’s Association (GIKAD), has officially begun with an opening event that placed strong emphasis on increasing women’s participation in politics.

The programme is being held in cooperation with Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science, Eastern Mediterranean University’s Centre for Women’s Studies and Education, and İDİA Academy.

In her opening remarks, GIKAD President İçim Çağıner Kavuklu stressed the importance of encouraging women’s involvement in politics, stating that the programme aims to help build a more just and inclusive society.

Other speakers, including DAÜ’s Women’s Studies Chair Süheyla Erbilen and Ankara University Dean Prof. Dr. Orhan Çelik, echoed support for the initiative and its social impact.

Former MP Gülşah Sanverdi addressed the need to protect the TRNC’s secular structure, openly discussing issues such as the headscarf debate.

CTP MP Sıla Usar İncirli underlined the importance of education in the fight for gender equality, calling low female representation in parliament a democratic shortfall.

UBP MP İzlem Gürçağ also voiced support for increasing women’s roles in decision-making bodies, stressing the island’s modern and secular values.

Former Health Minister Gülsen Bozkurt highlighted the persistent “glass ceiling” that women face while applauding GIKAD’s empowering initiatives.

Onur Borman, the TRNC’s first female minister, noted that despite women in the country gaining suffrage ahead of many European nations, female employment and political participation have regressed — a trend she described as disheartening.

The programme’s coursework is set to begin on Wednesday, April 16, and will run for eight weeks.

Participants who complete the course will be awarded a certificate.