Boğaziçi Rectorate dismisses Coordinator of Sexual Harassment Prevention Commission

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The Rectorate of Boğaziçi University has dismissed Commission on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (CİTÖK) Office Coordinator Cemre Baytok on the grounds that "there is no longer a need for the related service and there are no other positions available for her."

Appointed by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in January 2021 and dismissed by another Presidential decision in July 2021, rector Melih Bulu put CİTÖK Coordinator Cemre Baytok on unpaid leave in April 2021.

Several women's rights organizations have denounced her dismissal on social media. Referring to the "misogynist mindset of the trustees," they have also criticized the appointed administration of the university, which is currently headed by Naci İnci as the acting rector of Boğaziçi.

What happened?

The appointed administration of Boğaziçi University put Cemre Baytok, the Coordinator of the Commission on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (CİTÖK), on unpaid leave in April 2021.

It was said that the applications to the CİTÖK would be forwarded to Fazıl Önder Sönmez, who was appointed as the CİTÖK Chair.

Keeping a watch in front of the Rectorate at the South Campus everyday, the academics of the university said the following about the issue:

"Though the CİTÖK directives openly say that the chair shall be determined with an election, Fazıl Önder Sönmez, who has been appointed to the position, is obviously lacking in experience and qualifications.

"This situation will render the cases of sexual harassment that might be experienced by university members unknown and cause the aggrieved persons to be deprived of the necessary institutional support.

"We find this decision, which is in line with the government's decision of withdrawing from the İstanbul Convention unacceptable. The CİTÖK Coordinator must be back on her duty immediately." (EMK/SD)