ISTANBUL - Hosted by Avcılar Municipality and organized by the Women Writers Platform at the Barış Manço Cultural Center, the “Voice of Silent Mothers” program was full of emotion and determination on Mother's Day. The guest speaker of the program, Dilek Bozkurt, an award-winning journalist, media entrepreneur and mother of a child with special needs, gave strong messages for social awareness and women's solidarity with her speech.
”Journalism is Hearing the Unheard”
Bozkurt, who started her speech with a sincere language, addressing the audience from her heart without being bound by paper, addressed the audience with two identities: A journalist who has been pursuing the truth for many years and the mother of a child with autism. Stating that she has witnessed thousands of stories throughout her journalism career, Bozkurt expressed how her professional perspective deepened when she started reading the “silent headline” in her own home:
”In the silent headline of my own child, I realized once again that journalism is not only writing what is seen, but also making the unheard heard.”
“We Demand Rights, Not Agitation”
Criticizing society's attitude towards individuals with special needs and their families, Dilek Bozkurt objected to their lives being seen as a “problem”. Emphasizing that some approaches under the mask of benevolence are actually hurtful, Bozkurt said, “We do not want positive discrimination, we want rights. My child is not a problem; I am sure that no mother is a problem for her child,” Bozkurt said, underlining the need for a change in society's perspective.
“Association” Model for Women's Solidarity
Bozkurt, who is known for the importance she attaches to the struggle for women's rights and social projects, also shared the success story of the association she founded in Beylikdüzü for children with autism. Bozkurt stated that she had contributed at every stage of the association, from its charter to its logo, and explained that in order to establish a democratic structure, she completed her presidential term and handed over her duties to other mothers:
”I taught this process to our housewives who had nothing to do with association, and now they are well on their way and flying with their own wings. I know how precious it is to touch a woman, a mother, and I am proud of this work, which I will never be modest about. And I will always continue to take initiatives for women to get involved in life.“
Plaque Presentation
At the end of the program, Dilek Bozkurt emphasized that she would continue to be the voice of mothers and thanked the Women Writers Platform for inviting her. Bozkurt was presented with a plaque by Yüksel Can, Deputy Mayor of Avcılar Municipality, in memory of her contributions to society and her speech that raised awareness. The program ended with a collective photo shoot.