Experiences of women working in male-dominant professions: Case of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

The ideals of "masculinity" and "femininity" built on the axis of social norms cause inequality between the sexes in many areas of social life. One of the areas where inequality between the sexes is most clearly observed is working life. Although women have been increasingly involved in employment in the historical process, male dominance is striking in some business lines, and the distinction between "men's work" and "women's work" creates a disadvantage in terms of women's employment in some professions. Today, with the increase of women in working life, policies have begun to be created to reduce gender inequality and to change the social status of women. At this point, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has taken steps to pave the way for women's employment in occupations that are considered "men's work", within the scope of the "Local Equality Action Plan". The subject of this study is to examine the experiences of women working in professions that are considered male-dominated. Women working in occupations considered male jobs have been the subject of academic studies before, but these studies have generally focused on gender roles and negative experiences that women face in working life. The difference of this study from other studies is that it examines the experiences of women working in male-dominated professions and their perceptions of gender roles within the framework of hegemonic masculinity theory. In this study, which was conducted with qualitative research method, phenomenology research design is used. The factual basis of the study is provided by the data of the field study conducted by in-depth interview method with 20 female employees employed in occupations considered male jobs in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality between May and July 2022. According to the findings of the study, it has been understood that the situations in which hegemonic male-dominated values are reproduced continue even if women working together with men in male-dominated professions oppose to stereotypical gender roles. KEY WORDS: Gender roles, Hegemonic masculunity, Women's work, Men's work.