24/12/2025
The Business Against Domestic Violence (BADV) Project, launched in 2013 by Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, continues its journey as a well-established and effective partnership with the private sector, supported by UNFPA Türkiye and Sabancı Foundation, and in collaboration with TÜSİAD, with new participants.
11 More Companies Join the BADV Network
11 companies that joined the BADV network shared the policies they developed against domestic violence with the participants at the Company Presentations and Participation Certificate Award Ceremony in the TÜSİAD Conference Hall. The companies that made presentations within the scope of the program are Alarko Holding A.Ş., Anadolu Isuzu Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., Brisa Bridgestone Sabancı Lastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., Egedeniz Tekstil A.Ş., Enerjisa Üretim, Esas Gayrimenkul, İntem Triko Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş., Sera Group, Sony Eurasia Pazarlama A.Ş., and Sütaş Süt Ürünleri A.Ş. Prior to the presentations, Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Toker, Nevgül Bilsel Safkan, Yasemin Akis Kalaylıoğlu, and Ceren Aydın Ergün each gave a speech.
Total Membership Reaches 138
Esen Özdemir, Project Manager of the Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, who moderated the ceremony held in the TÜSİAD Conference Hall, shared the information that the total number of members hasreached 138. In her speech, Esen Özdemir drew attention to the impact of violence against women and domestic violence, especially on women and girls, and emphasized that this issue is not addressed openly and directly enough in the business world.
Following Esen Özdemir's opening speech, Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Toker, Dean of Sabancı Business School, addressed the participants. Prof. Dr. Toker said, "The business world cannot remain only an actor that raises awareness on this issue; it must be a structure that develops, implements, and ensures the continuity of policies."
Women and girls are most severely affected.
Stating that research clearly shows that domestic violence can affect both genders but targets women and girls most severely, Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Toker, Dean of Sabancı Business School, highlighted that according to World Health Organization data, approximately one-third of women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. She said that this situation reveals the need for a more determined and systematic struggle. At the end of her speech, Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Toker thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to the project, especially the Sabancı Foundation, UNFPA Türkiye and TÜSİAD.
“We Are Building with Zero Tolerance”
Sabancı Foundation General Manager Nevgül Bilsel Safkan, in her speech at the BADV meeting hosted by TÜSİAD, emphasized that violence against women continues to be one of the most pressing social problems in Türkiye and the world, and stated that it is essential to produce concrete and lasting solutions that go beyond awareness raising in this area. Nevgül Bilsel Safkan said, “We have come together not around the problem, but around the solution. BADV represents exactly this.”
Stating that Sabancı Foundation has supported social development with the goal of a more equal and sustainable future throughout its 51-year history, Nevgül Bilsel Safkan said that the foundation has adopted creating a long-term impact as its fundamental principle. Safkan said, “If we support a project, we support it to see its impact for at least 10 years. As BADV approaches its 10th year, it has now reached the point where it can envision a new decade.”
“Türkiye Ranks Second in the World for Women's Exposure to Digital Violence”
Speaking at the BADV meeting hosted by TÜSİAD, Yasemin Akis Kalaylıoğlu, UNFPA Türkiye Gender Program Coordinator, stated that the fight against domestic violence has gained new dimensions over the years, and drew attention to the fact that digital violence has become an increasingly visible and widespread problem. Kalaylıoğlu emphasized that globally, the rate of women experiencing violence is 27 times higher than that of men.
According to regional reports, in studies covering 17 countries, Türkiye ranks second after Ukraine in the world for women's exposure to digital violence. Kalaylıoğlu stated that this situation is also related to the use of digital violence as a strategic tool during times of crisis and war.
A Strong Network of 138 Companies
TÜSİAD Deputy Secretary General Ceren Aydın Ergün emphasized that gender equality is one of the cornerstones of economic growth, social development, and democracy, stating that women's equal participation with men in all areas of life is an indispensable requirement. Ergün underlined that ending violence against women is not only a social issue but also a matter of structural transformation.
In her speech, Ceren Aydın Ergün also touched upon the size reached by the BADV Network of Companies, expressing her satisfaction that the network, established to combat domestic violence, has now reached 138 companies.
Following the speeches, representatives from 11 companies that joined the BADV network gave presentations. After the section where the companies shared their policies on domestic violence, BADV Participation Certificates were presented.
Following the company presentations, Dr. Ozan Duygulu, Director of the Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum, emphasized that the most important aspect of the projects carried out within the forum is not only visibility but also the real impact they create in the field. Duygulu stated that experiencing firsthand how projects work has been a great source of motivation for him since taking office, and as someone working in the fields of ethics and sustainability, he emphasized the importance of such initiatives being close to practice.
“Men Need to Be More Visible in the Fight for Gender Equality”
Prof. Dr. Zafer Yenal, a faculty member at Sabancı Business School, emphasized that studies conducted in the fields of sustainability and gender equality are more critical than ever in the current global atmosphere. Stating that he coordinates sustainability studies within the faculty, Prof. Dr. Zafer Yenal stressed that men need to be more visible and active in the fight for gender equality.
Öykü Arkan Tunç, also a faculty member at Sabancı Business School, stated that it was gratifying to see that their work in ethical decision-making processes and whistleblowing was reflected in companies' workplace policies and practices regarding domestic violence. Tunç emphasized the contribution of collaborations in this area to academic education and company practices, and invited companies to work together. Following the speeches, the BADV 2025 Company Presentations and Certificate of Participation Ceremony in the TÜSİAD Conference Hall concluded with a group photo.
