Gender Equality Policy

1. Policy Statement

Hatay Psychologists Association (HPD) recognizes gender equality as a fundamental human right in all its activities in the fields of psychosocial support, mental health, and post-disaster/emergency services. It stands against all forms of discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This policy establishes the principle of gender equality as an institutional responsibility in all internal and external operations of HPD. It is directly linked to HPD’s vision of strengthening community-based resilience and enhancing mental health in post-disaster/emergency contexts.

2. Purpose and Scope

This policy aims to ensure gender equality across all of HPD’s service areas – including psychosocial support, individual psychotherapy, education, research, and advocacy. It provides a binding reference framework for employees, volunteers, partners, field practitioners, academic collaborators, and the communities served by HPD.

3. Definitions and Key Concepts

• Gender: Refers to the socially constructed roles of women, men, and various gender identities. These roles vary across time, place, and culture.
• Intersectionality: An analytical framework acknowledging that gender can intersect with other identity markers (e.g., age, disability, ethnicity, language, migration status), resulting in multiple disadvantages.
• Gender Mainstreaming: The integration of gender considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs, policies, and services with equality as a core principle.

4. Guiding Principles

• Equality and Non-Discrimination

Hatay Psychologists Association guarantees every individual’s equal access to rights and secures this through official policies.

• Inclusion and Intersectionality

The Association adopts an inclusive service approach by recognizing multidimensional identities and aims to create safe spaces. It particularly aims to establish secure and confidential environments for women, LGBTI+ individuals, and children in post-disaster/emergency support.

• Nonviolence, Ethics, and Do No Harm

Prioritizes the prevention of any harm to individuals through interventions and ensures protection from secondary trauma.

• Participation and Representation

Supports the active participation and feedback of women, children, youth, and disadvantaged groups in decision-making mechanisms. Transparent reporting and feedback mechanisms regarding policy implementation are operated.

5. Institutional Practices

Equal access for women, LGBTI+ individuals, and people from different age groups to leadership and decision-making processes is supported. Human resources processes—including recruitment, promotion, and remuneration—are conducted with a focus on gender balance. Complaint mechanisms against sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation are established and made accessible at both institutional and field levels. Regular trainings are provided to all staff on gender equality, discrimination, power dynamics, and ethical practices in the field.

6. Gender in Service Delivery

In psychosocial group sessions, individual counseling, and workshops for children, the gender-based needs of participants are considered. All phases of services are personalized by taking into account intersecting factors such as age, gender, disability, and migration status. Physical spaces and visual materials are organized in line with accessibility standards.

7. Equitable Approach in Post-Disaster and Emergency Interventions

Gender-based analyses are conducted in psychological first aid and long-term support programs after disasters and emergencies. Mobile teams provide secure application points specifically for women and girls. Partnerships with local women’s organizations, disability rights groups, and youth initiatives are established to develop equitable disaster/emergency intervention strategies.

8. Gender Sensitivity in Child Rights and Participation

Programs are implemented that safeguard girls' rights to education, play, and decision-making. The right of girls to be elected in school-based representative elections is supported. Children’s councils, forums, and participation mechanisms are structured in a way that guarantees gender equality.

9. Gender in Scientific Research

Field research data is disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and migration status. All reports and analyses published by HPD include gender-based impacts. Consent procedures are carried out in accordance with gender-sensitive safety and privacy principles.

10. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuity

This policy is reviewed at least once a year and assessed with independent expert input. Feedback from women, children, LGBTI+ individuals, and other beneficiary groups is gathered through methods such as surveys, focus group discussions, and suggestion boxes. Monitoring and evaluation systems include gender-sensitive indicators (e.g., female participation rate, gender-based risk perception).