Toplumsal cinsiyet konusunda öğrendiklerim, yaptığımız tartışmalar, araştırmalar, beni, özellikle cinsiyete ilişkin yapısal eşitsizlikleri görmek açısından güçlendirdi. Bireysel olarak da farkında olmadığım hatta bazen içselleştirmiş olduğum zayıf yönlerimin farkına varmamı sağladı.
Bu nedenle toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliği ile mücadele için en önemli araçlardan birisinin çocukluktan başlayarak, kadınların, erkeklerin ve bütün toplumun farkındalığının artırılması olduğunu düşünüyorum.
Deniz: As a woman, what challenges have you faced in your academic field and medical career? How did you overcome them and who supported you?
Sibel: In my field, Public Health, I was fortunate to work in an area focused on identifying, measuring, and advocating for reducing societal inequalities. So, I faced fewer challenges as a woman compared to other medical fields. However, being a female academician in a society with deep gender inequalities, I encountered negative experiences. These weren’t legal battles, but I struggled to effectively manage the attitudes I faced. Female academic colleagues, especially a respected professor, supported me. Sharing my experience with them, analyzing the situation, was emotionally beneficial and increased our awareness, strengthening us in similar situations.
Deniz: Would you describe medical schools, the medical profession, and hospitals as places offering equal opportunities for women? What solutions can be proposed to increase equality and prevent discrimination?
Sibel: Since I don’t work in patient care, I have no experience with hospital environments. During my medical education, I didn’t face discrimination regarding opportunity access. However, my awareness of gender equality issues wasn’t as developed then. During my Public Health specialization, we began discussing gender and gender inequality concepts. This enhanced our sensitivity and helped identify structural gender inequalities and unconscious biases. Combating gender inequality starts with increasing awareness from childhood among women, men, and society.
Deniz: What advice would you give to your younger self, especially considering your significant role as a mentor?
Sibel: A challenging but beautiful question. I see that your generation is more aware and equipped regarding gender roles, discriminatory language, etc., than mine. I’d tell my younger self about this progress. Also, I’d advise preparing for a long struggle in advocating for women’s empowerment and the necessity of organized efforts to fight inequalities.
Sibel: What motivated you to engage in gender studies as a medical student?
Deniz: My interest started with a course in my first year of university. It helped me realize the societal expectations and generalizations about women that bothered me. This realization was a starting point. Gaining knowledge and strengthening myself as a woman led me to this path. Meeting critical and caring people further motivated me. The sense of unity, sharing, and support is invaluable for motivation.
Sibel: How do you respond to discriminatory or sexist remarks in daily life? What strategies do you use to combat them?
Deniz: It’s crucial to recognize and understand the underlying assumptions of normalized sexist remarks. I challenge people in my circle by making them aware of what they’re saying. Language shapes society and vice versa. Unthoughtful words and generalizations perpetually recreate gender stereotypes. As part of my fight, I strive to raise awareness in my everyday life. I also value women’s solidarity and see supporting other women and receiving their support as integral to our struggle. The phrase “Remember this crowd when you feel hopeless” sums up my motivation and fight.