Women Breaking the Glass Ceiling

What is “the Glass Ceiling”? The term glass ceiling refers to situations where the advancement of a qualified person within the hierarchy of an organization is halted at a particular level because of some form of discrimination, most commonly sexism. This situation is referred to as a "ceiling" as there is a limitation blocking upward advancement, and "glass" (transparent) because the limitation is not immediately apparent and is normally an unwritten and unofficial policy.

Dimensions of Glass Ceiling Barriers male managers put such as giving less duties taking into consideration of woman employee’s household duties Barriers female managers put such as trying to keep the “queen bee” position-being the only woman at top. Barriers women put their own ways such as internalizing common negative values towards women The family-work conflict Economic and social barriers hinder to reach resourses such education, finances, etc.

Statistics on Working Women in Turkey Women’s participation rate in our country in the age groups is only 26.9 % Labour force participation rate of women who live in urban areas is 18.3%

57.2 % of women work in the agriculture sector and 50 % of the the women in agriculture sector are part of family work force without pay women working in services sector is %13.3 Commercial sector is % 4

Top Executive Women women who work as an executive personel is % 23 Today, across Turkey, total percentage of women top executives is 7% % 1 of women are in the highest positions.

HOWEVER....

Women Labour by Professionals 29% of doctors 36% of university academicians 24% scientific and technical jobs 33% of architects, 29% of lawyers, 32% of economists and 21% of top and middle executives at public institutions

Banking Sector The top managers of 4 out of 25 banks are female and %50 of employees are women in banking sector

“In Turkey, women working in the banking sector are in an even better condition in terms of pay they receive and the possibility to climb to top positions when compared with their counterparts all around the world,” says Yardım one of the executive of prominent finance institutions

...And women who take risks, women who are outside...However, education is a problem in our country. The more education level arise, the more brilliant leader women appear in business area... In Turkey, Women can be successful as long as have the equal opportunities as men. Women who are well-educated and socialized can break the glass ceiling.

“I was not afraid of taking risks.. I didn’t set a limit to myself...” DİDEM GORDON Yapı Kredi Bank portfolio General Manager

“What important is to manage with employees and the boss” SIRMA UMUR Procter&Gamble US & Canada Head Manager

“I did not imprison myself into a small area...” CANAN EDİBOĞLU Head Manager of Shell Turkey

“to make a difference, first of all, one should dare to risk of being a pioneer.” GÜLER SABANCI CEO of the Sabancı Holding with 65 firms

Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association President, Doğan TV chairman of the executive board “Personally I believe there isn’t glass ceiling sendrome for educated women in Turkey.”

An interesting Dilemma: The Participation of women to labour market is low. ( %27) On the other hand, most women who are in job market are well-educated and ambitious. According to Kariyer.net (most effective job searching website across Turkey), %51 of four and a half million of CVs belong to females. % 40 of women are university graduates and %10 are holding a post-graduate degree. %12 of those women are high school gradutes and about %12 have graduted from vocational schools.

Kariyer.net head manager Pembe Candaner “ Working women should never give up self-development and self-determination.In Turkey,it is an advantage that women emloyees are well-educated. That’s because in globalization era, professionals who can follow developments and evaluate innovations through the path of success are desirable.I believe women can do it. Responsibilities of family prevent women to work intensively. Women are not supported by other women; so female empolyees’ career opportunities are limited. At this point, men should support their wives and sisters. In business world, both women and men should learn to benefit each other’s strong sides.By acting this way, it can be achived big improvements.”

The problem occurs because of the lack of education. Today, researches show that The more education level increase the more women participate to labour force

While ending... “Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, "She doesn't have what it takes"; They will say, "Women don't have what it takes.” Clare Boothe Luce, American Diplomat and Playwright,