CGFT considers gender diversity on boards as a matter of corporate governance and effectiveness of boards, and “gender-based violence and harassment” as a severe obstacle to women’s advancement at work.
The projects that have been developed as a result of this vision are summarized below:
INDEPENDENT WOMEN DIRECTORS PROJECT
The Independent Women Directors Project was launched in 2012 to monitor the status of female directors in publicly-held companies and to support companies seeking to appoint women directors.
Within the scope of the project, in the strategic partnership with Egon Zehnder, a database containing the resumes of female professionals who are qualified to participate on the boards of public companies is kept and this database is offered to requesting companies free of charge. Between 2013 and 2018, more than 20 women were elected to the boards of public companies thanks to the project.
Strategic Partner:
30 PERCENT CLUB TÜRKİYE
The 30% Club in Turkey is a spin-off from the Independent Women Directors Project, which was initiated by Sabancı University’s Corporate Governance Forum when the Capital Markets Board of Turkey amended its Corporate Governance Guidelines in 2012, recommending that companies set a target level of no less than 25% women on their boards. In 2018, the percentage of female members on the boards of the 30% Club members increased faster than other companies and reached 19.7 percent.
CONSULTATION ON THE ROADMAP FOR PROMOTING GENDER DIVERSITY ON CORPORATE BOARDS IN TURKEY - AN EBRD PROJECT
SU CGFT facilitates the consultation process on Roadmap for Promoting Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards in Turkey developed for EBRD. To see detailed information about the Roadmap and the consultation process please click here.
ELECTRONIC GENERAL MEETINGS PROGRAM
In 2012, aligned with the Capital Markets Board's corporate governance regulations, CGFT purchased shares of the companies that doesn’t have female members on the board and began to participate in electronic general meetings as investors to require at least one female member to be on the board of publicly-held companies.
BUSINESS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT
The Project aims to implement policies and mechanisms to prevent and reduce violence against women in all over Turkey. To this day, representatives of 51 companies have received Gender Equality trainer training within the context of the Project. A platform of companies working for mechanisms against domestic violence is planned to be formed. The Project also aims to ensure that companies take gender equality as a business performance and economic–social development issue in ensuring sustainable employment.
Project Supporters:
Project Cooperation:
Project Supporters (2013-2014):
GENDER EXPERTS DATABASE
ILLAC in cooperation with SU CGFT has created the database of Gender Experts in Turkey within the scope of the Capacity Building Program on Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) for EBRD Clients. The database aims to help companies access expert advice on developing and implementing workplace policies related to gender equality and gender-based violence and harassment. The database is an addition to Independent Women Directors Database, maintained by Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum and Egon Zehnder Turkey.
The experts who would like to be included in the Gender Experts Database can apply via sending an e-mail to iwdturkey@sabanciuniv.edu with a CV explaining how they meet the qualification criteria. The list of qualified experts will be made available to EBRD clients free of charge. The criteria for qualification are presented in the attached file.
Financial Supporter:
Project Coordinator:
