Middle East Technical University (METU) enforces comprehensive institutional policies and binding e-action plans to eradicate all forms of workplace discrimination—including discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, belief, and social status. METU’s framework combines the university-wide Gender Equality and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy with specialized institutional plans, such as the METU MEMS Gender Equality Plan (PL-009, 2022–2027) and the ODTÜ-GÜNAM Gender Equality Framework, ensuring a discrimination-free workplace for all academic, administrative, and research personnel.

1. Institutional Anti-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Principles

• Non-Discrimination & Inclusive Communication: Under METU’s core policy, it is a foundational principle across all written, oral, visual, formal, and informal communications (including course materials, social media, and internal reports) to use language that respects human dignity. The policy explicitly prohibits discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity, mandating the complete elimination of stereotypes and bias in workplace interactions (Antwerp Charter on Gender-Sensitive Communication).
• Equal Representation & Fair Appointments: To eliminate gender disparities in promotions and decision-making bodies, METU enforces:
  • Maintenance of a centralized Gender Equality Database and periodic analysis of appointments/promotions from a gender perspective.
  • Merit-based academic evaluations that explicitly incorporate parent-sensitive approaches, accounting for maternity leave for women and parenting experiences for all genders.
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Support Services: METU operates the dedicated METU Support for Gender Equality and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Unit (CİTÖB) alongside faculty-level working groups to enforce prompt, effective disciplinary procedures and guarantee physical campus safety.

https://citob.metu.edu.tr/sites/citob.metu.edu.tr/files/odtu_toplumsalcinsiyetesitligi_ilke_ve_stratejiler_belgesi.pdf

2. Institutional Gender Equality Plans (Reviewed & Active 2022–2026)

•  METU Gender Equilty Plan : METU supports work-life balance and an inclusive organisational culture through a range of campus facilities and services, including childcare, on-campus housing, free transportation, subsidised meals, sports centres, markets, banks, a post office, and a health centre. The University also promotes gender equality through its Gender and Women’s Studies graduate programme, established in 1994, gender equality modules in the Academic (AGEP) and Administrative (İGEP) Development Programmes, and the European Commission’s HRS4R Excellence Award, which mainstreams gender equality. However, challenges remain, including the significantly lower number of paternity leaves compared with maternity leaves, difficulties faced by women in balancing parental responsibilities during term breaks and holidays, and an insufficient number of designated breastfeeding spaces.
• https://ak.metu.edu.tr/sites/ak.metu.edu.tr/files/docs/metu-gep_2021.pdf
• METU MEMS Center Gender Equality Plan (PL-009): Formally approved by the Board of Directors for the 2022–2027 implementation period and officially released/reviewed on 30 June 2025 (Document Code: PL-009). The plan establishes concrete Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), allocates dedicated human/financial resources, and functions as a living document to eliminate workplace inequalities.
• https://mems.metu.edu.tr/tr/system/files/cinsiyet_esitligi_plani.pdf
• ODTÜ-GÜNAM Gender Equality Framework: Focuses on systematic data collection, gender-responsive work-life balance policies, continuous anti-discrimination training for administrative and research staff, and increasing the representation of female researchers in scientific leadership positions.
• https://odtugunam.org/sayfa/toplumsal-cinsiyet-esitligi-plani/