Istanbul releases policy document to boost women's employment

The Istanbul Women's Employment Policy Document has been released to strengthen the equal, qualified, and sustainable participation of women in the labor market. Developed through a partnership between Istanbul Personnel Management Inc. (İSPER) and the Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA), the document identifies structural barriers and establishes strategic intervention areas specific to the city.

The preparation process involved a comprehensive report on the Istanbul labor market and women's employment, produced in collaboration with Regional Employment Offices (BİO) and Bahçeşehir University's Economic and Social Research Center (BETAM). This was followed by a solution workshop involving non-governmental organizations and various stakeholders to incorporate diverse expertise and recommendations.

Research findings indicate that women's employment in Istanbul is shaped by interconnected factors including caregiving responsibilities, working conditions, labor market structures, and gender roles, rather than just education levels or individual choices. The policy framework adopts a holistic approach to address issues such as access to employment, job retention, the impact of marriage and motherhood, the care economy, wage gaps, harassment, representation in decision-making, female entrepreneurship, and the transition to green and digital economies.