5.6.1 - 5.6.2 BAHÇEŞEHIR UNIVERSITY GENDER EQUALITY and IINCLUSION POLICY

Bahcesehir University Gender Equality, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination Policy for Women, Transgender, and Gender-Diverse Individuals

Commitment and Purpose

Gender equality, diversity, and inclusion are key principles for all components of Bahçeşehir University (BAU) and are embedded across all university structures and processes.

BAU recognizes that gender discrimination, sexual orientation, and gender identity discrimination in all its forms undermine academic and professional productivity, disrupt institutional peace, and are fundamentally incompatible with the university’s values.

BAU unequivocally opposes all forms of gender-based discrimination, including those targeting women, transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. The University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

In addition, BAU explicitly recognizes that transgender and gender-diverse individuals may face distinct barriers to full participation in academic and professional life. The University therefore commits to ensuring that all institutional practices respect and affirm each person’s self-identified gender and expression.

This commitment to gender equality is a cornerstone of BAU’s management approach and applies to all facets of university life, including education, research, employment, and governance.

BAU is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and educator. The University does not tolerate — nor allow — discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, political belief, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This commitment applies to all aspects of university operations, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, research funding, access to facilities, and student admissions.

This policy outlines a shared vision for embedding gender equality, diversity, and inclusion across all activities, procedures, and strategic plans at BAU.
It serves as a guiding framework to ensure that gender equality — particularly the elimination of discrimination against women, transgender, gender-diverse individuals — is an integral part of BAU’s educational, administrative, and research operations.

Objectives

1. Developing Gender Awareness:
   Cultivate a deep understanding of gender equality and inclusion throughout the university community, encompassing students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
2. Encouraging Structural Change:
   Implement proactive strategies to create an egalitarian, inclusive, and supportive institutional culture, addressing structural gender disparities and empowering all members of the university.
3. Education and Awareness Activities:
   Organize and promote educational programs such as lectures, panels, and workshops to raise awareness about gender equality, diversity, and the prevention of gender-based violence, discrimination, and harassment.
4. Creating a Safe and Nonviolent Environment:
   Establish clear channels and protective measures for reporting discrimination, harassment, or violence. BAU ensures swift action to maintain a non-violent, inclusive academic and working environments for all genders.
5. Promoting Gender Equality in Research:
   Support inclusive approaches to research that ensure equitable representation of all genders across disciplines, projects, and publications.
6. Monitoring Progress:
   Continuously track and assess gender equality and inclusion efforts.

Principles

1. Prevention and Response to Gender Discrimination:
   BAU is committed to preventing and addressing all forms of gender-based discrimination.
2. Equal Opportunities Across the University:
   Gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or gender expression will not be a factor in decisions regarding recruitment, research funding, promotions, housing, or access to campus resources.

BAU guarantees the right of every individual to express their gender identity freely without fear of stigma or discrimination. University policies support the use of chosen names and pronouns and ensure access to gender-inclusive facilities.

3. Support for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development:
   Eliminating gender discrimination is both a human rights imperative and a driver of sustainable development. BAU integrates gender equality into its institutional strategy, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5, SDG 10, and SDG 16).
4. Promotion of Inclusive Research and Academic Freedom:
   BAU encourages academic work that advances gender equality and provides platforms to discuss gender and inclusion in a diverse context.
5. Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence:
   BAU enforces a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of gender-based violence and harassment.

Ensure that campus facilities, administrative procedures, and health and counseling services are inclusive of and sensitive to the needs of women, transgender and gender-diverse members of the BAU community.

A dedicated unit within BAUEQUAL (BAU Commission for Equality and Inclusion Studies) offers confidential support and response mechanisms for anyone who experiences or witnesses such incidents.

6. Active Participation in Gender Equality Efforts:
   BAU actively collaborates with national and international organizations on gender equality initiatives, sharing good practices and supporting institutional learning on inclusive policies.
7. Prohibition of Inappropriate Sexual Behavior:

BAU strictly prohibits any form of inappropriate sexual behavior, including but not limited to: sexual conversation or content, comments or jokes of a personal or sexual nature, obscene gestures, unwanted touching or hugging.

Such behaviors are considered serious violations of university policy and are subject to disciplinary action. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an academic and working environment free from any form of sexual misconduct, harassment, or intimidation.

8. Non-Sexualization of Professions:
   BAU rejects gender stereotyping in academic and professional fields, ensuring that all disciplines are accessible and free from gendered biases or social expectations.
9. Cultural Shift Toward Inclusivity:
   The university promotes a culture where every individual — regardless of gender identity or expression — is valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to institutional success.

BAUEQUAL – Bahçeşehir University Commission for Equality and Inclusion Studies

In December 2019, BAU issued a declaration of intent to promote gender equality and prevent all forms of violence and discrimination, including sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace.

Following this declaration, a working group of experts established the BAU Commission for Equality and Inclusion Studies (BAUEQUAL) in October 2020, with a mission to develop an egalitarian, inclusive, and non-violent campus and workplace.

Since its inception, BAUEQUAL has:

• Conducted comparative analyses of local and international models to identify effective measures against gender-based and workplace violence.
• Initiated internal research to assess the perceptions and experiences of BAU staff and students regarding gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Designed training programs, workshops, and campus-wide campaigns to build awareness and institutional capacity for equality and inclusion.
• Developed preventive strategies and clear response procedures for any incidents involving discrimination, harassment, or gender-based violence.

The BAUEQUAL Unit functions as a safe, confidential point of contact where any member of the university can report issues related to gender-based discrimination, sexual violence, or psychological harassment.

Through these ongoing efforts, BAUEQUAL aims to embed gender equality and inclusion across BAU’s governance, teaching, research, and community life, ensuring that women, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals are supported, represented, and empowered.

Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Assault Unit 

About  

Bahçeşehir University made a declaration in December 2019 to pursue institutional studies on gender equality and anti-harassment, especially in terms of sexual harassment and work-place violence, and prevention of all kinds of discrimination. Following this declaration, as of October 2020, a group of expert BAU faculty members started to work with the aim of bringing equality and inclusion-based-approach in all university-run operations. We are happy to announce that BAU Equality and Inclusion Committee (BAU EQUAL) has started working developing policies and procedures to prevent incidents of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, as well as work-place violence and discrimination-based violence. 

BAU EQUAL, so far, has examined national and international models to determine the steps of creating a non-violent campus and an inclusive learning/working environment. In this regard, Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention/Response Unit has been established and any BAU member (academics, administrative staff, students, staff) can contact in case of being the victim or witness of gender-based violence, discrimination, sexual or psychological violence.