Women’s Mentoring and Empowerment Schemes

Atatürk University is strongly committed to empowering women through comprehensive mentoring, guidance, and leadership development programs that engage more than 10% of all female students annually. These programs are implemented through a collaborative institutional structure that includes the Women’s Studies Application and Research Center (ATAKAM), the Center for Social Sensitivity Projects (ATA-TDM), the Career Development and Alumni Offices, and faculty-based mentorship initiatives. Together, they ensure that female students receive continuous academic, social, and professional support throughout their education.

1. Institutional Mentoring Structure

• University Mentorship Portal:
  The Health Research and Application Center operates a public Mentorship Application Portal that allows students, especially women, to apply as mentees or mentors under faculty supervision. This portal formalizes the mentorship process and ensures inclusiveness.
  🔗 Mentorship Application Form – anklinaro.atauni.edu.tr

• Faculty-Based Mentoring Programs:
  Faculties such as Literature, Nursing, and General Surgery have long-standing mentoring systems where female students are paired with academic mentors for guidance, motivation, and skill development. Mentorship is integrated into student experience programs and course advising.
  🔗 Edebiyat Fakültesi Mentoring Initiative

• Academic Writing and Publication Mentoring:
  In 2024, the Faculty of Fine Arts launched the Academic Writing and Publication Mentorship Support Program, where female postgraduate students receive one-on-one support in academic writing, publishing, and research methodology from experienced mentors.
  🔗 Fine Arts Faculty Mentorship Program

• Alumni Mentorship and Career Guidance:
  Through the Graduates Information System (mezun.atauni.edu.tr), alumnae mentor current students in career planning, entrepreneurship, and academic development, supporting intergenerational female leadership.
  🔗 Medical Faculty Alumni Mentorship

2. Mentorship Through Social Sensitivity Projects (ATA-TDM)

The Center for Social Sensitivity Projects (ATA-TDM) coordinates over 1,000 community projects annually, many of which focus on women’s health, empowerment, and education. These projects pair students with academic mentors, creating real-world mentorship environments that combine learning, social responsibility, and leadership.

Key 2024 Projects and Mentorship Examples

1. Breast Cancer Awareness for Rural Women
   Conducted in February 2024 in partnership with Aziziye District authorities, this project provided health education to over 100 rural women. Female students acted as mentors and health educators under academic supervision.
   🔗 Project Page

2. Strong Bones, Strong Women (Güçlü Kemik Güçlü Kadın)
   A health-focused mentoring project aimed at improving women’s awareness of osteoporosis prevention and bone health.
   🔗 ATA-TDM Project List

3. Healthy Smiles Project (Sağlıklı Gülüşler Peşinde)
   Implemented in May 2024, this project promoted oral hygiene and confidence-building through female student mentors working with community participants.
   🔗 ATA-TDM Project Page

4. Coding Map: The Digital Journey of Rural Youth
   A digital literacy initiative targeting young women in rural regions, teaching basic coding and computer skills under mentorship from faculty members in computer engineering.
   🔗 ATA-TDM Homepage

These mentoring-based community projects strengthen women’s health, digital literacy, and leadership capacity while integrating academic mentoring and experiential learning.

3. Empowerment and Mentorship Activities Led by ATAKSAM

The Women’s Studies Research and Application Center (ATAKSAM) spearheads mentoring programs, leadership seminars, and empowerment events to build women’s confidence and participation in academic and professional life.

Highlights from 2024

• International Congress on Turkish and World Women’s Studies (Oct 4–6, 2024):
  Featuring 15+ countries, this congress hosted mentorship workshops and panels on “Challenges of Being a Woman Throughout Life” and “Cyber Violence Against Women.”
  🔗 ATAKSAM Official Site

• Panel: “Women from Past to Present” (March 8, 2024):
  Focused on historical and contemporary gender roles; included direct mentoring sessions between faculty and female students.

• II Erzurum Women Leaders Common Mind Meeting (March 2024):
  Brought together local women executives, academics, and student leaders for leadership mentoring and collaboration.

• Cyber Violence and Women’s Rights Symposium (Nov 2024):
  Provided law and communication students with mentoring on digital ethics, women’s safety, and advocacy skills.

• Outreach Activities and Radio Broadcasts (Nov 2024):
  ATAKAM and the Ministry of Family and Social Services co-organized awareness booths and radio talks about women’s rights and protection mechanisms.

4. Monitoring, Participation, and Institutional Recognition

• The SDG Information Document confirms the existence of formal women’s mentoring programs at Atatürk University and records participation exceeding 10% of female students.
  🔗 SDG Information Document

• The 2024 Annual Activity Report lists over 1,200 Social Sensitivity Projects (TDP), many led or co-led by women, showing deep female engagement in mentorship-driven initiatives.
  🔗 Atatürk University 2024 Activity Report (PDF)

• Mentorship and gender equality objectives are integrated into the Atatürk University Strategic Plan (2024–2028), ensuring sustainability and institutional accountability.

5. Quantitative Overview of Mentorship Engagement

Total estimated female participation: over 7,500 students, representing well beyond 10% of Atatürk University’s female population.