Bahçeşehir University made a declaration in December 2019 as an intention letter 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 workings on a programs to develop policies and procedures to prevent and support incidents of sexual harassment and gender based violence, as well as work-place violence and discrimination based violence. The results of the initial meetings of BAUEQUAL are on track and hopefully will evolve into sustainable actions very soon. We would like to share our initial work with you on the occasion of March 8th, International Women’s Day.
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 and started an internal research to understand better the current situation at Bahçeşehir University. Moreover, in order to address the particular needs of BAU members, the Committee is working on a survey, to understand the perception and attitude of BAU staff and students towards gender equality, living with differences and inclusion. After the analysis of the collected data internal training programs, panel discussions and various activities all around the campus and in collaboration with student clubs will be planned. And the results will also be used to develop policy and procedures.
BAU Equality and Inclusion Committee (BAU EQUAL) not only works on training programs and activities as preventive measures of creating a non-violent learning/working environment but also aims to take initiative in designing a procedure as a guide to take action in case of an incident. Within this context, BAU EQUAL aims to constitute a point of contact, so that BAU members can get in touch with if they are subject to sexual harassment, or gender-based violence, or discrimination-based violence, or else.
As BAU Equality and Inclusion Committee (BAU EQUAL), we hope the results of our future work, that will always adapt participatory methods, will become useful towards our University’s goal of creating an inclusive, equal and non-violent campus; and we celebrate March 8th International Women’s day of all women.
BAU Equality and Inclusion Commission members:
Prof. Tunç Bozbura, Prof. Aslı Makaracı Başak, Assoc. Prof. Pınar Melis Yelsalı Parmaksız, Assist. Prof. Bahar Tanyaş, Assist. Prof. Gül Şener, Assist. Prof. Güner Hande Ulutürk, Assist. Prof. Nora Tataryan Aslan, Assist. Prof. Sinan Aşçı, Arzu Yüksel.
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