Expanding its efforts beyond trade unions and private sector, ILO is now working to implement the measures recommended by ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment in civil society organizations

The International Labour Organization (ILO) for Türkiye Office continues to contribute to preventing violence and harassment at work through a workshop organized for the Middle East Technical University (METU) Alumni Association.

News | 11 April 2023
The ILO Office for Türkiye delivered a training session in Ankara on 1 April 2023 on “Policy Paper on Zero Tolerance for Violence in line with ILO’s Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)” to provide technical assistance in the preparation of “Policy Paper on Zero Tolerance for Violence” which the Middle East Technical University (METU) Alumni Association planned to put into effect in the context of C190.

The training was moderated by Ms. Dr. Ayşe Emel Akalın, ILO Türkiye Gender and Social Dialogue Officer; and opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Didem Ayhan Özkazanç, Vice-President of METU Alumni Association, and Ms. Nuran Yardımcı of METU Gender Equality Commission.

At the event organized under the “More and Better Jobs for Women Programme” implemented by the ILO Office for Türkiye with funding from Sweden, Ms. Ebru Özberk Anlı, ILO Senior Programme Manager, provided information on the structure and mission of ILO, norms on gender equality, and C190. Ms. Birce Albayrak, a member of METU Gender Equality Commission, and Ms. Prof. Dr. Canan Koca of METU Alumni Association shared information on the Association’s work for the preparation of “Policy Paper on Zero Tolerance for Violence”.

In the second part of the training, Ms. Canan Güllü, President of Federation of Turkish Women Associations (TKDF) made a presentation covering an overview of violence and harassment against women in Türkiye; statistical data on the issue; scope of C190, its importance in the world of work, and the role of workplaces and civil society in preventing violence and harassment at work.

In the final part of the training, Ms. Dr. Seher Demirkaya of Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University made a detailed presentation on the method and subsequent steps in preparing “Policy Paper on Zero Tolerance for Violence” in light of C190, particularly for associations, then group exercises were held.



It is expected that the Alumni Association will put into force the Policy Paper which will soon be finalized by in line with the training.


Following the adoption of Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), various trade unions and private sector enterprises created and implemented Policy Papers in line with C190 in the context of work undertaken by the ILO Office for Türkiye to enhance the public ownership and recognition of the Convention.