17/10/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL
According to ÜniKuir's report analyzing 10 private foundation universities in Ankara and Istanbul, 37 percent of LGBTI+ students cannot come out.
“Gender Equality in the Context of LGBTI+ Rights in Private Foundation Universities in Ankara and Istanbul” report prepared by ÜniKuir Association has been published. Within the scope of the report, 10 private foundation universities, 5 in Istanbul and 5 in Ankara, were monitored on the basis of gender equality. Within the scope of the research where public universities were examined last year; this year Atılım, Başkent, Bilgi, Bilkent, Istanbul Kültür, Koç, Özyeğin, TED, TOBB and Yeditepe universities were examined.
In the report, it is stated that in universities where LGBTI+ rights are guaranteed by policy documents and regulations, LGBTI+ students have more access to their rights and are subjected to less discrimination. In addition, it was pointed out that the organizations among LGBTI+ students in private foundation universities examined within the scope of the research reduce the possibility of students being discriminated against.
According to the report; 37 percent of students at foundation universities stated that they do not come out about their orientation and gender in order to avoid discrimination. On the other hand, 32 percent of LGBTI+ students at private foundation universities stated that they do not feel safe because of their orientation or gender identity.
LGBTI+ students face the most discrimination in dormitories
Another title emphasized in the report was that LGBTI+ students at private foundation universities cannot access mechanisms to combat harassment and violence. The report included the following statements:
“In 9 out of 10 universities monitored, psychological violence is the most common form of violence, followed by verbal violence, sexual harassment and physical violence. 49.5 percent of the participants do not have information about the application mechanisms within the university in cases of violence and harassment.”
The report stated that it is important that LGBTI+ student communities are recognized by the university administration. In the report, which draws attention to the insufficiency of studies on safe spaces in universities, it was stated that LGBTI+ students are mostly discriminated against in dormitories:
“It has been revealed that the experiences of LGBTI+s in public dormitories, private dormitories or foundation dormitories are more challenging than the university dormitory experience. If a university has inclusive and egalitarian policy documents, application mechanisms against violence and harassment in addition to student dormitories, the rate of non-discrimination in dormitories is positively affected.”
University administrations are silent on gender equality
The report states that there are no compulsory courses in the curricula of the private foundation universities examined that include keywords related to gender. It was also emphasized that university administrations remained silent on gender equality:
“It has been found that university administrations and units have abstained or ignored the inclusion of gender equality in public statements and interviews.”
Tags: human rights, education
