Gender Equality Plan

Bilkent University is committed to fostering gender equality and ensuring an inclusive, nondiscriminatory environment in education, research, and administration for all university stakeholders. The Gender Equality Plan (BGEP), approved by the University Senate in September 2022, outlines clear strategies and actions to promote gender equality across campus. Bilkent University has adopted a non-discrimination statement declaring:

“Bilkent University hires academic and administrative staff and admits students without regard to gender identity, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to staff and students at the university. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other university-administered programs.”

Key Objectives and Actions

1. Institutionalization

  • Establishment of a Gender Equality Committee (GEC)
    • for identifying, monitoring, and coordinating plans related to the issues of gender, diversity, equality, and inclusion
    • consisting of 5 members appointed for two-year terms
    • working as a liaison unit between academic and administrative units
    • collaborating with other relevant units in Bilkent University including the
    • Teaching and Learning Support Center, Sexual Harassment Reporting and Prevention Unit, and Psychological Counseling and Development Center
    • meeting at least once a semester to evaluate the implementation of the BGEP and
    • reporting its findings to the Rector.

2. Data Collection and Monitoring

  • Annual collection of gender-related statistics across all university levels
  • Triennial surveys for faculty, staff, and students to assess perceptions of gender equality
  • Publication of data and annual progress reports
  • Regular revision of action plans based on collected feedback and data
  • Maintaining ongoing visibility through university-wide announcements

3. Training and Capacity Building

  • Organizing orientation sessions for incoming students to raise awareness about gender
    equality
  • Organizing training for incoming faculty and teaching assistants on gender equality in
    classrooms and other learning settings.
  • Holding seminars and presentations on gender issues in academic and professional
    settings
  • Training for administrators and hiring committees regarding discrimination in personnel
    selection procedures

4. Organizational Culture and Work-Life Balance

  • Transparent communication of the university’s position, commitment, and actions on gender equality in regulations and in related webpages
  • Avoiding gender-specific terms in university documents and recruitment processes
  • Integration of gender dimensions into research, teaching, and training

5. Gender Equality in Recruitment, Career Progression, and Leadership

  • Merit-based and gender-neutral approach to all recruitment and promotion decisions
  • Awareness-raising activities for all members of the university especially for those in the leadership positions
  • Long-term planning to improve gender balance in leadership positions

6. Combating Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harassment

  • Published an online policy document on sexual harassment accessible and visible at university websites
  • Maintenance and promotion of the Sexual Harassment Reporting and Prevention Unit (SHARP) by
    • collaborating with the Psychological Counseling and Development Center to
      prepare training videos and online resources for students, faculty, and
      administrative staff.
    • providing continuous visibility via the university website and campus-wide
      bulletin boards with posters and flyers.
    • sharing information about SHARP in the student, staff, and faculty orientations.
    • promoting student participation in workshops and seminars as part of GE100 Orientation course on university policies, SHARP, and resources addressing gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

For more detailed information, please visit the Bilkent University website.
https://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent/gender-equality-plan/