Being a woman in Turkish public administration: A study on the problems of female employees

The aim of this thesis is to analyse the experiences of female employees working in public institutions regarding their working life and the structural, managerial and social problems they encounter. The study addresses topics such as professional competence, career process, institutional support, gender roles and work-life balance. Data collected from 417 female employees working in public institutions across Isparta were gathered using a scale adapted from the Memur-Sen Women's Commission (2022) survey and restructured according to the research objectives. The research data were analysed using the SPSS programme. The findings show that female employees perceive a general alignment between their job descriptions and their individual competencies, and that they work within a structure that supports their professional development. However, critical assessments have emerged regarding structural inequalities and lack of support in areas such as promotion processes, institutional opportunities, work-life balance, and social roles. While participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward adapting to technology, opinions regarding the lack of equal and sufficient institutional support also drew attention. Demographic variables do not create significant differences, but it has been determined that only the level of education has a clear effect on perceptions of work life. Overall, the study reveals that the work experiences of female public employees are shaped not by individual factors, but by institutional and social structures.