The Producing Women Competition Awards Ceremony was held in Istanbul

The Producing Women Competition Awards Ceremony was held in Istanbul.

• Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek stated, “If the women’s labor force participation rate reaches OECD averages, the national income would be 20% higher.”
• Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş mentioned, “We aim to increase the women’s labor force participation rate to 40.1% and the women’s employment rate to 36.2%.”

The Producing Women Competition Awards Ceremony took place with the participation of Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek and Minister of Family and Social Policies Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Şimşek said, “We support every initiative that encourages women’s participation in the workforce. If the women’s labor force participation rate in Turkey reaches OECD averages, the national income would be 20% higher.” Minister Göktaş added, “We aim to increase the women’s labor force participation rate to 40.1% and the women’s employment rate to 36.2%. We believe that the century belongs to women in Turkey.”

The Producing Women Competition Awards Ceremony took place at a hotel in Şişli at 3:00 PM. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and Halkbank General Manager Osman Arslan, along with numerous female entrepreneurs and invited guests. The program began with the reading of messages from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan. Minister Şimşek then took the podium, expressing support for any initiative that promotes women’s participation in the workforce and emphasizing the importance of financial literacy. Minister Göktaş highlighted their goal to increase women’s labor force participation to 40.1% and women’s employment to 36.2%.

“We support every step that encourages women’s participation in the workforce,” stated Minister Şimşek. “The only way for the Turkish economy to realize its potential is for our women to be much more actively involved in both entrepreneurial and employee roles in the business world. The participation rate of women in the workforce has increased from 20% to 36% in the last 20 years, as mentioned in President Erdoğan’s message. A significant and meaningful progress, but not sufficient. The average women’s workforce participation rate in OECD countries is 66%. If Turkey’s women’s labor force participation rate reaches OECD averages, Turkey’s national income would be 20% higher. Therefore, we are behind every step that encourages women’s participation in the workforce.”

Minister Şimşek highlighted the importance of financial literacy in women’s workforce participation, mentioning the support provided by public banks, KOSGEB, and TÜBİTAK to women entrepreneurs. He also emphasized the significance of childcare services for female employees and the efforts to increase financial literacy among women.

“We aim to increase the women’s labor force participation rate to 40.1% and the women’s employment rate to 36.2%,” stated Minister Göktaş. She emphasized the role of women in representing productivity and sensitivity in every aspect of life and mentioned the achievements in expanding women’s rights and freedoms in the last 22 years. Göktaş discussed various projects and initiatives aimed at supporting women, including the promotion of sustainable development through increased female entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the efforts to enhance women’s participation in the workforce, Minister Göktaş highlighted the importance of a widespread neighborhood-type childcare model for the 0-3 age group, allowing women to balance work and home life. She stressed the positive impact of entrepreneurial women on their own lives, the community, and society as a whole.

“We believe that the century belongs to women,” emphasized Minister Göktaş. “Women are the foundation of family and society, weaving the fabric of society meticulously like artists. Throughout our history, there have been pioneering women who have guided and illuminated us in every period. No economic, cultural, or political movement can succeed without the presence and inclusion of women. We genuinely believe, as President Erdoğan stated, that the century belongs to women in Turkey. With this belief, we will continue to support women and ensure that entrepreneurial women actively participate in production.”

After the speeches, the winners of the “Producing Women Competition” were presented with their awards. The program concluded after the award ceremony.