A comparison of policies and strategies aimed at increasing women's representation in high-level decision-making mechanisms: The cases of Turkey and Germany

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the current status of women's representation in high-level decision-making positions in the public sector, private sector, and non-governmental organizations in Turkey and Germany. Additionally, the study seeks to comparatively analyze the policies and strategies designed and implemented in these sectors to increase women's representation and develop recommendations for measures, policies, and strategies to enhance the representation of women in senior positions in Turkey. To achieve this objective, the dissertation first reviews the theoretical literature related to the factors that prevent women from reaching senior positions in institutions and organizations. Then, it identifies the representation rates of women in senior management positions in the public sector, private sector and non-governmental organizations in Turkey and Germany. Based on this, the dissertation compares and analyzes the policies and strategies followed in both countries to improve these rates. The field research of the dissertation investigates the stages women executives in Turkey go through to reach senior management positions. The study questions the conditions that have enabled them to reach such positions, the challenges they have faced along the way, whether they have encountered gender-based discrimination, the impact of gender on leadership characteristics and outcomes, and their opinions on the measures that could facilitate women's access to senior positions. Qualitative data obtained from interviews with women in senior management positions provide subjective insights into the critical factors that shape the career journey towards senior leadership. Based on these experiences, the study offers suggestions regarding the measures, policies, and strategies that could increase the representation of women in senior positions in Turkey. The research findings indicate that the primary obstacles women face in accessing leadership roles in Turkey are organizational biases, gendered leadership norms, and insufficient institutional support. In contrast, in Germany, these barriers have largely been overcome through legal quotas, transparent promotion systems, and monitoring mechanisms. The existing German law, FüPoG (Management Positions Act), includes binding regulations aimed at increasing women's representation on corporate boards, while in Turkey, strategy documents and action plans remain weak in terms of applicability and enforcement. To enhance women's leadership in Turkey, comprehensive policies supported by binding legal regulations, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and cultural transformation are necessary. The German example demonstrates that such a transformation can only be achieved through a combination of legal frameworks, civil society participation, and institutional will.