5.6.1 - 5.6.2 BAHÇEŞEHIR UNIVERSITY GENDER EQUALITY and IINCLUSION POLICY

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.

Bahçeşehir University Gender Equality Declaration can be accessed through the following link.

https://cdn.bau.edu.tr/content/e8ikyfofu2k0k-ENG.pdf

Bahçeşehir University Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Prevention Policy can be accessed through the following link.

https://bau.edu.tr/icerik/18018-568-non-discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation-prevention-policy

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.

Policy statement and directive of Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention/Response Unit:

https://cdn.bau.edu.tr/content/c3kagoa3xvtqd-3idp8t8grux3f-Cinsel%20Taciz%20ve%20Sald%C4%B1r%C4%B1ya%20Kar%C5%9F%C4%B1%20Destek%20Birimi%20Y%C3%B6nergesi.pdf

https://cdn.bau.edu.tr/content/iqx5b38ipo28s-frrn6j0zygg1m-Bildiri.pdf

The official Bahçeşehir University awareness video on sexual harassment and assault can be accessed through the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQsAdFmNFzg