BMC’s efforts to promote gender equality are characterized by systematic tracking and proactive policy implementation.

5.3.1: Tracking Access Measures

The college meticulously tracks application rates, acceptance rates, and enrollment numbers by gender. This data-driven approach allows BMC to monitor trends, identify potential disparities, and evaluate the effectiveness of its outreach and support initiatives.

5.3.2: Policy for Women’s Applications and Entry

The foundation of BMC's commitment to gender equality is robustly articulated in its Non-Discrimination Policy Statement which serves as the overarching policy framework guaranteeing equal opportunity in applications and entry. This is operationalized through an admissions process that evaluates candidates on merit, as outlined in the "Admission and Financial Aid" document, which makes no distinction based on gender in its requirements for Saudi or international high school graduates.

5.3.3: Women’s Access Schemes

BMC offers an extensive suite of financial aid, mentoring, and counseling programs that are explicitly available to women, directly supporting their access and participation.

• Scholarships: Programs like the Al-Forsan Scholarship, which rewards academic excellence and community service, and the Ehsan Scholarship, which supports orphans, are available to all qualified students regardless of gender. The Tamkeen Program, offering 100% or 50% support for the preparatory year, is critical in easing the financial burden for high-achieving female students at the very start of their academic journey.

• Mentoring & Counseling: Mentorship is woven into the fabric of student life. The "First Generation Medical Students Workshop" is a prime example, where senior female students provided guidance to junior students, creating a powerful peer-support network for women navigating the challenges of medical school. Moreover, the Counseling Unit provides a comprehensive, confidential support system crucial for female student success. This includes:

  • Individual and Group Therapy: Offering dedicated sessions for females every Monday, addressing issues from stress and anxiety to relationship conflicts.

  • Targeted Workshops: Recent workshops include "Stress Management and Exam Anxiety," "The Overthinking Mind" and "Career Burnout," all led by female counselors.

  • Wellness Programs: The "Pre-medicine Students Wellness Program" is a psychoeducational initiative designed to help students, many of whom are first-generation females, acclimate to academic and social life.

  • Therapeutic Events: Regular events like "Pet Therapy", "Music for Harmony Therapy", and "Meditation" sessions provide proactive mental health support, reducing attrition and promoting well-being among the female student body.

• Other Provisions: The "Toumouhi Challenge", under the overview of the Ministry of Sports, is a prime example of a female-specific access scheme. It invited young women passionate about the sports industry to develop leadership skills and achieve their full potential, aligning with broader goals of female empowerment in non-traditional fields.

5.3.4: Encouraging Women in Underrepresented Subjects

BMC’s entire institutional mission inherently supports this indicator. By being a premier institution for medical and health sciences—fields where, while progress has been made, women's representation in leadership and certain specializations can still be improved—BMC is a living initiative to encourage women in high-impact STEM fields.

• Through University Outreach: The "Schools Forum for Medical Specialties" is a direct outreach effort to inspire future healthcare leaders. By hosting separate, inclusive days for male and female high school students and having female leaders lead presentations, BMC actively showcases successful women in medicine, making these careers tangible and aspirational for young girls.

• Through Collaboration: BMC’s partnerships with local schools, as seen in the "Breast Cancer Awareness Event at Future Leaders School" and the drug awareness campaign at Al Afaq International School led by the Nazaha Club, allow female BMC students to become role models and educators in their own right, encouraging younger girls to pursue science and health-related fields.

A Campus Culture of Female Empowerment

BMC’s commitment extends into the vibrant daily life of the campus. This culture of empowerment is cultivated through:

• Dedicated Spaces for Support and Dialogue: Events like the "Art Therapy Symposium" and the "Mindfulness Discussion Panel" create safe spaces for students, particularly women, to address mental and emotional health, which is critical for academic persistence and personal growth.

• Celebration of Female-Led Initiatives: The success of clubs led by or heavily involving women, such as the Influencers Club, the Arts Club (Recycled Fashion Competition), and the Nazaha Club (integrity lecture), demonstrates an environment where female students are empowered to take initiative, lead their peers, and shape campus culture.

• Community Engagement and Social Responsibility: Female students and staff are at the forefront of BMC’s community outreach, from the blood donation campaign to the "Caring for Street Cats" initiative. This reinforces their role as active, compassionate leaders within the wider Jeddah community, aligning with both SDG 5 and the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030.