Following the death of Nermin Tirit in a heinous attack, an awareness walk was held under the leadership of Erzurum Technical University (ETU) Women and Family Studies Application and Research Center (EKAUM) to draw attention to violence against women.

The program was attended by AK Party Erzurum Deputy Fatma Öncü and ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, as well as many academic and administrative staff and students.

Following Friday prayers, a silent march was held from the Gelin Paşa Mosque on the ETU campus to Rectorate Square. Participants carried signs and banners to protest violence against women and raise a message of awareness.

Rector Çakmak: Any Form of Violence Against Women Is Unacceptable

Speaking in the Rectorate Square, Çakmak emphasized that violence against women is a fundamental social problem, saying, "We are gathered here today after a great loss that has left a deep wound in the heart of our university and our city, a loss that has shaken us all. Nermin Tirit, a valued employee of our university, lost her life in an armed attack in front of her home on the morning of November 3, 2025. This tragic event has caused great sorrow and grief both within our university community and throughout society. No justification can be an excuse for depriving a woman of her right to life. As Erzurum Technical University, we firmly believe in the sanctity of human life and the inviolability of fundamental rights. We unwaveringly apply the principle of absolute tolerance to all forms of violence against women, rejecting and condemning in the strongest possible terms all forms of violence, whether physical, psychological, economic, or digital."

Rector Çakmak stated that awareness-raising training, support, and counseling mechanisms will be further developed, saying, "Preventing violence against women is a shared responsibility not only of institutions but of every segment of society. Today, as we commemorate Nermin Tirit, we remember not only a painful loss but also the value of human life, the necessity of solidarity, and the importance of social conscience. The memory of the late Nermin Tirit will always live on as a symbol of our determination to fight for a society free of violence and our respect for human dignity."

MP Öncü: Social Awareness is the Responsibility of All of Us

AK Party Erzurum Deputy Fatma Öncü condemned the attack on Nermin Tirit in her speech, saying, "As a woman, a mother, and a resident of Erzurum, this tragic incident has deeply wounded me. I pray that such suffering will never occur again, neither in our city, nor in our country, and also anywhere else in the world. Violence is incompatible with the values ​​of our civilization; no living  should be immune to violence. From the moment I learned of the incident, I immediately contacted our Director of Security, Indigenous and Family Social Services. Our state has strong mechanisms in place to protect women. I would like to remind you here that you can download the KADES (Women's Emergency Support Application) application, developed by our Ministry for women's safety, to your phone and instantly contact law enforcement in times of need. Social awareness is everyone's responsibility. May God never inflict such suffering again. May God have mercy on the deceased and grant patience for her family."

Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate November 7,2025