What is "Gender Equality"?
Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a core requirement for building peaceful, prosperous and sustainable societies. Although global progress has been made in girls’ education, women’s leadership and policy reforms, significant disparities persist across social, political and economic spheres. Women around the world continue to face unequal access to opportunities, underrepresentation in leadership, and high rates of gender-based violence. Achieving SDG 5 requires systematic, structural and institutional commitment that protects women’s rights, improves participation, expands access to education and employment, and eliminates discrimination in all its forms.
Yeditepe University demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to gender equality through comprehensive policies, gender-sensitive practices and a robust governance structure coordinated by its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (YEDI). The University systematically tracks women’s application, admission, enrolment and graduation rates across all academic programs. According to institutional data, women represent 2185 of the students who started a degree, and 394 of these are first-generation university students. The University regularly analyses gender distribution across student cohorts through the Gender Equality Action Plan (GEP 2024–2027), which prioritises evidence-based monitoring and continuous improvement in gender-related outcomes.
Yeditepe implements targeted access schemes to promote women’s representation in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented, particularly STEM, applied sciences and professional vocational programs. Initiatives include role-model meetings, mentoring activities, gender-aware faculty monitoring, and campaigns encouraging enrollment in engineering, science and technology fields. These interventions help reduce admission gaps, strengthen women’s access to all disciplines, and contribute to inclusive and diversified academic participation.
The University also promotes gender equality within employment structures. It employs 4132 staff, including 1036 academic personnel and 205 senior academic staff, of whom 98 are women. Institutional policies explicitly prohibit discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the basis of gender or gender identity. YEDI enforces a formal Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, supported by the Sexual Harassment and Bullying Prevention Subcommittee (SHBP), which provides awareness programmes, training, reporting channels, complaint resolution procedures, and protective mechanisms for individuals who report misconduct.
Yeditepe provides structured support schemes empowering women’s academic and professional development. The University operates a Mentorship Programme that connects female students with industry leaders and accomplished alumni, and hosts the Women in Business Club, which enhances leadership skills, networking capacity and career readiness. Institutional tracking shows that women consistently achieve strong academic outcomes: female graduates represent 1817 out of 3103 total, including 305 in STEM, 483 in Medicine, and 1029 in Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences.
The University ensures work–life balance and supports women’s continued participation through maternity and paternity regulations aligned with national legislation. Employees have access to 21 kindergartens operated by İSTEK Schools, enabling affordable childcare for staff and students. The on-campus Yeditepe Kindergarten provides an accessible, high-quality learning environment that allows mothers to attend classes or fulfill professional responsibilities. Flexible childcare provisions strengthen inclusivity, reduce gender barriers, and promote a balanced academic and professional life.
Moreover, Yeditepe monitors gender parity at graduation and implements mechanisms to close potential gaps. Institutional data show that women consistently maintain a 60%+ graduation share across faculties. This strong representation demonstrates the effectiveness of gender-responsive strategies embedded in the YEDI framework and the Gender Equality Action Plan.
For more detailed information about the endeavors of our university regarding this subject, please visit our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee webpage.
Through comprehensive policies, transparent governance mechanisms, and gender-responsive educational structures, Yeditepe University actively contributes to SDG 5: Gender Equality, advancing equitable participation, safeguarding rights, empowering female leadership, and strengthening a more inclusive and sustainable academic community.
