February 11, 2025

Women's participation in higher education and influence in academia continues to increase in Türkiye. The proportion of women in the number of students and academic staff in higher education institutions continues to rise.

February 11 is celebrated by the United Nations as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The increase in the number of female students and academic staff at Turkish universities, as well as academic research on women and gender equality, make a significant contribution to equal opportunities in education.

According to 2024 data, a total of 7,330,932 students, 3,873,437 women and 3,457,495 men, are studying at universities. Accordingly, the proportion of women in the number of students enrolled in higher education reached 53 percent.

Women make up 54% of associate's degree students, 52% of bachelor's degree students, 50% of master's degree students and 51% of doctorate degree students.

On the other hand, with the decision taken by the Council of Higher Education, affirmative action was provided for women by defining additional quotas in YKS for women over the age of 34 as of 2023. Women over the age of 34, who could not continue their education for different reasons, started higher education with this opportunity and continued their education.

- Increase in the number of scientists draws attention -

There are 184,021 academic staff at Turkish universities, of whom 97,532 are male and 86,489 are female. Accordingly, the rate of female academics has increased to 47 percent. With this rate, the proportion of women in academia has reached the highest level.

The number of female research assistants and female lecturers in academia surpassed men. Women make up 55% of the total number of research assistants and 52% of lecturers.

35 percent of professors, 43 percent of associate professors and 48 percent of assistant professors at Turkish universities are women.

-Increase in academic publications on women

In addition to social responsibility activities, scientific or academic projects implemented in many fields at higher education institutions, publications on equal opportunities, human rights, women's rights and violence against women also stand out.

Within the scope of academic studies at universities, 12 theses and 192 publications on equal opportunities, 25 theses and 675 publications on women's rights, and 148 theses and 4,142 publications on violence against women were published in 2024. According to current data, there are 10,336 theses and publications on equal opportunities, human rights, women's rights and violence against women.