Prof. Dr. Feride Acar is a pioneering academic and advocate in the field of gender equality and women’s rights, both in Türkiye and internationally. She has been a professor at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, teaching political sociology and social movements. As the founding director of METU’s Gender and Women’s Studies Graduate Program, she has played a vital role in institutionalizing gender studies in Türkiye.
Acar’s international contributions are equally remarkable. She served as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) from 1997 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2018, including a term as chair between 2003 and 2005. During this time, she led global efforts to monitor and enforce women’s rights commitments. Recognized for her outstanding contributions to gender equality, she has been honored with numerous national and international awards, including the Pro Merito Medal from the Council of Europe.
