[1] After returning to Cyprus in 2007, she started teaching political sociology in the Near East University, and continued this job until 2008.
She established the Communal Gender Equality Mechanism (TOGEM) under the Ministry of Labor and Social Security from 2008 to 2009, and began her activities in the non-governmental organization Feminist Workshop (FEMA).
Derya is a vocal and active advocate of communal gender equality, LGBT rights, and putting an emphasis on democratic values and freedom in education.
[7] In 2014, she initiated reform in the Penal Code, including gender-sensitive changes especially in the chapter of Sexual Offences.
Her proposal included increased protection for boys that was only previously offered to girls and the freedom for women to choose their surnames as they like upon marriage.