Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The event, organized at TOBB Twin Towers in cooperation with the Union and the affiliated Women Entrepreneurs Councils, was attended by women board of directors members, council presidents and secretaries general of chambers and exchanges.

Faik Yavuz, Treasurer Member of the Board of Directors of TOBB, reminded Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words “No woman of any nation in the world can say that she worked harder than the women of Anatolia in leading her nation to liberation and victory,” and commemorated all women who showed outstanding achievements in the War of Independence with gratitude.

Wishing for a world where gender discrimination is eliminated, Yavuz stated that TOBB, women and young entrepreneurship committees play a major role in women entrepreneurship and employment, which is one of the areas of development in Türkiye.

Yavuz stated that the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council has carried out activities to ensure that women have a greater say in the economy.

Stating that the proportion of women among all employers in Türkiye has doubled in the last 15 years and reached 12 percent, Yavuz said, “Our goal now is to raise the proportion of women entrepreneurs even higher. In order to support this, we express at every opportunity to encourage women entrepreneurs by purchasing the products of women manufacturers with a quota of 15 percent in public tenders.”

- TOBB KGK President Öztürk

Nurten Öztürk, Women Entrepreneurs Council President, said in her speech here that sustainable development in the economy and social life is possible through the active participation of women, who make up half of the population, in all areas of life.

Öztürk stated that 60 out of 100 women in European Union (EU) countries work, while 31 out of 100 women in Türkiye participate in the labor force:

“Even if they participate in business life, they do unpaid work called 'invisible labor'. Women's participation in the labor force is absolutely necessary for the sustainability of economic and social life. The economic crises and inequitable growth around the world will improve with women's participation in business life. If women contribute to the economy at the same rate as men, the gross national product will grow, poverty will decrease, decision-making processes will shorten, social life will improve and world peace will be strengthened.”

- “Women's employment should be supported”

Referring to the empowerment of women in business and social life and ensuring gender equality, Öztürk listed her recommendations on this issue as follows:

“First of all, national policies, legislation in the state and institutions must be reviewed. Serious targets must be set and supported for women politicians, women's employment, women's quota practices. Equal pay for equal work must be ensured. Women encouraged with affirmative action with short working hours and flexible working hours. It is extremely important that girls are treated fairly in inheritance law. The number of kindergartens should be increased and expanded, and educational institutions where women can trust and leave their children of all ages should be opened. Financial support should be provided to women who want to start a business, and a 'second chance' application should be introduced for women's companies that have previously been given loans but have run out of resources. When issuing tax amnesties or similar amnesties, serious steps should be taken towards affirmative action. Women should benefit from equal rights and educational opportunities, equality in the distribution of industrial, economic and incentive policies, and equality in wages and opportunities.”

Pointing to the need to remove social pressures on women, Öztürk emphasized the importance of supporting senior executive women as role models.

Öztürk stated that they believe that women should be given priority in every profession and said, “Women and men should be assigned in a balanced manner when determining missions and strategies. Equality in rights and responsibilities must be ensured. It is extremely important to prioritize women in every field until equality is achieved.”