ISTANBUL
Turkish women constitute only a quarter of the country’s 27 million-strong working population, prompting calls for a change in social attitudes.
According to a nationwide report released in Istanbul, just over 25 percent of the workforce is female and many women have experienced discrimination and unfair treatment compared to male colleagues.
The findings are based on a survey conducted across Turkey by POLLMARK and published by the Women and Democracy Association, an NGO based in Istanbul.
The report, entitled ‘Insight Into Socioeconomic, Political and Cultural Situation of Women in Turkey’, has led some female campaigners to criticize existing attitudes in Turkey towards women in the workplace.
A founding member of the Intellectual Perspective Association, Sema Gul, said the problem was not only the poor status of working women but the domestic values Turkish society demands of women.
“The perspective towards women in society should be changed. Their value at home, school, political area and daily life should be enhanced,” she said.
With the report finding that an overwhelming majority – almost 90 percent – being employed in the private sector, the president of Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Turkey, said the rate of working women in Turkey is too low, calling it a loss for the Turkish economy.
Gulden Turktan said: “It means we are not making use of women work force in Turkey. Only seven million women work in Turkey. There are many reasons behind this low rate; women are not encouraged or helped to participate in working life.
The Turkish government should help to pay for childcare for working women” she added. The Ministry of Family and Social Policy was unavailable for comment.
The report, which surveyed over 5,000 women across 13 regions, also examined women's attitude towards marriage and divorce, education, and political and religious views.
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