Women's employment: Historical development and the case of Turkey

In this thesis, the position of women in the labor force, their historical development, the structural or social barriers they face, and the currently implemented policies are evaluated. Without conducting any applied research, the study analyzes existing literature, official statistics, and international reports to reveal the current state of women's employment in Turkey. Women's participation in economic life is of critical importance not only in terms of individual freedoms but also for the development of society as a whole. For instance, when looking at history, the influence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk granting women the right to vote and be elected clearly demonstrates the transformation it brought about in society. A similar significance applies to women being included in the labor gorce. However, the current rate of female labor force participation in Turkey lags behind that of many developed countries. This situtaion is mainly attributed to reasons such as traditional gender roles, the burden of care being predominantly placed on women, lack of education, and institutional support deficiencies. This study also includes solution proposals for increasing women's employment and comparative evaluations and inclusive policies to ensure sustainable and inclusive economic structures. Keywords: Women's Employment, Gender, Invisible Labor, Glass Ceiling, Labor Market,Turkey