In line with its Sustainable University Policy, Social Equality Regulation, and 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, Sakarya University (SAU) delivers all academic, administrative, and community services open to all members of society without any discrimination. All academic and administrative staff are employed under the Civil Servants Law No. 657, which explicitly prohibits gender discrimination in public recruitment and employment. Within this legal framework, SAU’s Human Resources Policy reinforces equal treatment by adopting an institutional commitment to non‑discrimination against female employees.
In 2024, this principle was actively embedded across SAU’s governance, access, and student support systems. The Sustainability Portal publishes a dedicated “Non‑Discrimination Policies for Women” page affirming SAU’s institutional policy of equality in recruitment and employment. This is operationalised through the “Student Access Policies” and “Student Access Measures,” which guarantee equal conditions regardless of gender, describe gender‑disaggregated monitoring of student registration, and document measures like the YÖK 34+ quota that improves access for women over the age of 34.
Furthermore, the “Lifelong Learning Access Policy” reiterates that all SAU services are open to the public without discrimination, reinforcing the principles of the Sustainable University Policy and Social Equality Regulation. The Senate‑approved Gender Equality Plan (2022–2025) remained effective throughout 2024, serving as the overarching framework ensuring the prevention of gender‑based discrimination and guiding equality actions across the university.
In 2024, SAU played an active role in the Sakarya Provincial Action Plan to Combat Violence Against Women (2021–2025), developed under Türkiye’s Fifth National Action Plan. University representatives participated in monthly coordination meetings and co-implemented activities; within this framework, SAU hosted and supported International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women events, strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, prevention efforts, and awareness across campus and the wider community.
In practice, SAU implemented awareness and capacity‑building initiatives during 2024 to sustain a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for women. These included university‑wide training programmes on family protection and preventing violence against women (July 2024), International Women’s Day events (March 8, 2024), and additional well‑being and mental health services coordinated through the Medico‑Social Center. Collectively, these institutional frameworks, policies, and community actions demonstrate that SAU’s non‑discrimination policy for women was not only codified but actively implemented and monitored in 2024, ensuring equality of access, employment, and opportunity.
