Women are struggling still for cultural equality and compensation for harm caused during wartime, according to international relations professors at Tuesday's panel, "States of Apology: Gender, Violence and Post-Conflict Reparations."

The event is third of the Women’s History Month/International Women’s Day lecture series held in HSS 248. The purpose is to acknowledge and celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day and bring to light women’s issues and concerns, according to Kathryn Johnson, coordinator of special projects for the Marian Wright Edelman Institute which is housed in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and addresses the changing needs of children, youth and families.

About 50 students filled the classroom. Some had to sit on the floor to listen to the panel that included: Burcu Akan Ellis, international relations assistant professor; Angelika von Wahl, international relations and political science assistant professor; Sophie Clavier, international relations assistant professor; and moderator JoAnn Aviel, international relations professor.

People still see women as baby producers for their nations and ethnicities and women are often “invisible” in society, said Clavier, who is also a lecturer in the criminal justice program.

“Women are assigned less value,” Clavier said.

She also said that people still think women are for doing housework and taking care of babies. Even if women take care of their children, they do not get money, so their income is zero.

Von Wahl, who discussed "Victims Redeemed: Human Rights Abuse and Reparation in Germany, Japan, and the U.S.," pointed out that women and gays and lesbians have had a hard time getting compensation after wars.

Wahl explained that compensation is based on communities and ethnicities but not often on gender.

“Women seem to belong to a different community,” Von Wahl said.

Students said they thought the event was valuable.

“It is important to have it to open my eyes,” said James Corbin, 25, a senior and international business major.

People have been blind about women in society, Corbin said.

Monica Enriquez, 23, a senior and international relations major, said it was good that many departments came together for the event and that she learned what gender bias is.

Charlie El-qare said he thought the event addressed issues of which many people were not aware.

“I think that more events should be like this,” said the 28-year-old senior and political science major.

The last of the Women’s History Month/International Women’s Day lecture series will be March 30 in the University Club from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, e-mail kathyjoh@sfsu.edu.