Social policies for women's employment: The example of Turkey after 1980

In this study, the development of women's employment in Turkey from 1980 to the present day was investigated and the impact of women's employment on economic growth was compared with other countries within the framework of social structure. Concepts such as Labour and employment, along with globalization, the development of technology and changes in socio-cultural areas have led to the emergence of different sectors. In this process, the changes in the structure of Labor have paved the way for women to turn to different sectors and business areas in their work life. In order for our country to reach its economic growth target, increasing female employment and being sustainable is seen as an important factor of economic development. As women's employment in our country differs according to sectors, its change according to regions and education level has been analyzed using statistical data. The historical process of women's employment was examined, the problems they experienced after the Industrial Revolution were mentioned and gender discrimination faced by working women in our country in business life was addressed from a social perspective. The majority of women living in rural areas of our country without education work as unpaid family workers without Social Security. Informal employment in women, which was 80% in the 1980s, fell to 76,8% in 2006, according to TUIK data, but it has not been at the expected level. Social policies organized by the state, the Arts opened for women, entrepreneurship courses supported by the state projects and IŞKUR has been on the rise. According to TUIK statistical data, although the informal employment rate of women fell to 43,13% in November 2017 due to the increase in the compulsory education period and the rise of the service sector, it is seen to be insufficient compared to developed countries. In the study, social policies aimed at increasing female employment in Turkey were determined and analyzed. Key words: Female Employment, Social Policy, Gender, Economic Growth.