Ayla Sultan Çiçek, Communication and Gender Specialist

As the first daughter and fourth child of a conservative Turkish family living in Germany, I became a feminist by necessity. Entering university was the first step of equal treatment in my family. I hold a M.A. degree in Turkish sciences and communication from the Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg/Germany. As former press officer responsible for the media work of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality for several years, I bring an extensive experience in European gender equality and women’s rights policies. Being a member of several globally acting women’s organisations such as The Association for Women’s Rights in Development AWID and Terre Des Femmes e.V. and a subscriber to several feminist magazines helps me keeping track of the latest international and national news and trends. I am old enough to know that… and young enough to be idealistic and enthusiastic about changing the world into a better place for women and, of course, men.