Turkish women 'only a quarter' of workforce

Turkish women constitute only a quarter of the country’s 27 million-strong workingpopulation, prompting calls for a change in social attitudes.According to a nationwide report released in Istanbul, just over 25 percent of theworkforce is female and many women have experienced discrimination and unfairtreatment compared to male colleagues.The findings are based on a survey conducted across Turkey by POLLMARK andpublished by the Women and Democracy Association, an NGO based in Istanbul.The report, entitled ‘Insight Into Socioeconomic, Political and Cultural Situation ofWomen in Turkey’, has led some female campaigners to criticize existing attitudes inTurkey towards women in the workplace.A founding member of the Intellectual Perspective Association, Sema Gul, said theproblem was not only the poor status of working women but the domestic valuesTurkish 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 – beingemployed 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 forthe Turkish economy.Gulden Turktan said: “It means we are not making use of women work force inTurkey. Only seven million women work in Turkey. There are many reasons behindthis 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” sheadded. The Ministry of Family and Social Policy was unavailable for comment.The report, which surveyed over 5,000 women across 13 regions, also examinedwomen's attitude towards marriage and divorce, education, and political andreligious views.