Collaboration for Women-Friendly Campuses and Inclusive Education: Protocol Signed Between the Ministry of Family and YÖK

📢 The Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) have signed a protocol to promote women-friendly campuses, accessible education environments, and scientific research focused on women and children. The collaboration aims to integrate social services within universities.

📅 Date: May 5, 2025
📍 Location: Ankara, Türkiye

Protocol Objectives and Scope

📢 Through this protocol, academic studies addressing gender equality, domestic violence prevention, family communication, and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in higher education will be supported.

📌 Key focus areas:
✔ Women-friendly campus initiatives
✔ Accessibility improvements for students with disabilities
✔ Encouragement of girls' participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
✔ Expansion of academic research on women and children

📢 The protocol also emphasizes integrating social services with universities to create a more equitable educational system.

Statements from Officials

📢 Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş emphasized the protocol's goal of empowering individuals.

💬 Minister Göktaş:
"We aim to support an egalitarian university environment through women-friendly campus initiatives. At the same time, we will collaborate with universities to ensure accessible education and infrastructure for students with disabilities."

📢 She also highlighted the importance of volunteer-based projects, legal clinics, elderly care training, and applied education in psychology as key aspects of the protocol.

📢 Council of Higher Education (YÖK) President Erol Özvar described universities as catalysts for social change.

💬 President Özvar:
"This protocol reinforces universities not only as institutions of knowledge production but also as centers of social impact. Supporting girls in STEM fields and facilitating academic access for individuals with disabilities are among our top priorities."

📢 The protocol aims to enhance cooperation between universities and social service institutions, leveraging scientific data for policy development.