President Prof. Barış Tan Attends On-Campus Event in Observance of “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” on November 25

Özyeğin University President Prof. Barış Tan attended the on-campus event in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2024. The event highlighted ongoing initiatives to combat all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination in society while also presenting the findings of an international research study on workplace violence and harassment conducted in collaboration with our University.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Tan emphasized Özyeğin University’s commitment to combatting all forms of violence. He added: “A better future can only be shaped through decent work for all,” Prof. Tan remarked. “Considering Özyeğin University is a workplace, we are dedicated to maintaining a safe environment with zero tolerance for violence, where all members can work with dignity, free from any form of violence or harassment. I am confident that today's discussions on the findings of the workplace violence study will serve as valuable guidance for our efforts moving forward.”

Prof. Tan concluded his speech by reaffirming the University’s commitment to creating a research, learning, and working environment that is entirely free from all forms of violence and discrimination, particularly gender-based violence. “To that end, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Özyeğin University Prevention of Discrimination and Violence Unit. This unit will be responsible for implementing preventive and protective measures, providing individual counseling, and managing reporting processes in the fight against all forms of discrimination and violence. Guided by its own directives, policies, and Özyeğin University’s Code of Ethics, the Unit will collaborate with all university departments and partner with various NGOs to make meaningful contributions in this field.”

Following President Tan’s remarks, Prof. Özlem Yenerer Çakmut, Dean of the Faculty of Law, delivered a presentation titled “The Criminal Law Approach to Violence Against Women and the Language of the Judiciary.” Citing striking examples of violence against women, Prof. Yenerer Çakmut emphasized how the language and approach of decision-makers often serve to reinforce existing patriarchal structures further. Next, Prof. Canan Sümer, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, delivered a presentation on the findings of the research project “Perceptions and Experiences of Workplace Violence and Harassment,” conducted jointly by Özyeğin University and the International Labour Organization (ILO) from May through July 2024. In her presentation titled "Understanding Workplace Violence and Protecting Employee Well-Being,” Prof. Sümer defined various forms of workplace violence and harassment while providing coping strategies and preventive actions for such forms of violence and harassment.