OEDAŞ Increases Share of Women Engineers

OEDAŞ Increases Ratio of Female Engineers OEDAŞ has raised the number of female employees to 23 percent through its "Our Energy is Equal" project launched in 2019. Energy is one of the sectors in Turkey with low female employment. Osmangazi Electricity Distribution Inc. (OEDAŞ), which aims to increase the number of female employees from around 12 percent in the sector and thus contribute to both employment and gender equality, has taken significant steps with its "Our Energy is Equal" project launched in 2019. While the ratio of female engineers at the company stood at around 14 percent at the end of 2018, this figure has increased with each period since the project's launch, reaching 23 percent today.

We aim to achieve gender equality

OEDAŞ General Manager Fuat Celepci, in a statement marking 23 June International Women Engineers Day, said: "The sector in which we operate may be perceived as 'men's work' by society due to the higher number of male employees and particularly the intensity of field operations. As OEDAŞ, we believe that professions are not divided by gender, and we advocate for gender equality in the energy sector as in all areas of life. With the 'Our Energy is Equal' project we implemented in 2019 based on this approach, we have succeeded in increasing the number of female engineers at all levels of our company. However, we are aware that we have a long way to go. Our goal is to achieve equality in the number of male and female employees and make this sustainable. In our sector, where we believe a transformation based on gender equality is necessary, the steps we are taking in this direction will also energize our country's energy sector," he said. Celepci, noting that they are signatories to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles (WEP's), said they will continue to implement various projects and events on the basis of the Sustainable Development Goals' fifth item, "Gender Equality." Celepci, celebrating all female engineers on 23 June International Women Engineers Day, paid tribute to female engineers who have contributed to Turkey and are no longer alive, particularly Sabiha Rıfat Gürayman, Turkey's first female engineer.  

Working at OEDAŞ is an honor for me

Environmental Engineer Emel Nur Demirci, speaking on the subject, said: "Food has no gender nor do colors. Why should professions? As female engineers, we continue to grow in numbers day by day and become more visible through our achievements in many fields. Working at OEDAŞ, which has many engineers within its organization without gender discrimination and offers equal opportunity, is an honor for me," she said. Electrical and Electronics Engineer Havvanur Savaş, another employee, said: "We live in a time when women have to struggle with much discrimination. As in many other sectors, there is a prejudice in the energy sector that male engineers will be more successful. As female engineers, we will always be successful in this sector to break down this narrow perspective." Like Havvanur Savaş, Electrical and Electronics Engineer Sinem Sezgin, quoting Atatürk, said: "I would like to emphasize the pride I feel with the number of female employees in my department with Atatürk's words, 'Everything we see on earth is the work of women.' I hope that in the near future we will reach the consciousness that if a human wants, not just a woman or man, anything is possible." Another Electrical and Electronics Engineer, Fatma Sevim, stressed that women need to increase their effectiveness in all areas, continuing as follows: "I think not just engineering but no profession has a gender. Seeing women who have proven themselves and broken down these kinds of thoughts exist in every field and this being supported gives me even more hope for the future." Electrical Engineer and Electronics and Communications Engineer Yeşim Gürer, referring to teamwork at the institution, said: "At OEDAŞ, as a Project Engineer, I sometimes find myself at a desk drawing and reviewing projects and sometimes in the field conducting project reconnaissance work. I am happy to work as an engineer in an environment that operates with unity and team spirit, supports gender equality, and provides equal opportunity without gender discrimination," she said. Electrical and Electronics Engineer Raziye Tutus, referring to the benefits of gender equality, said: "Today, the definition of success in the business world is being reconsidered. The business world, which has reached where it is today with rules set by men, is now rushing toward success on the basis of gender equality. Whether you are an employee or a boss, I believe something can be done for a work environment that draws its strength from the men and women who make up society and is based on equal opportunity, and a new perspective can be brought," she said. Electrical and Electronics Engineer Nurefşan Oturak spoke of the positive difference within OEDAŞ: "Our sector is one of the sectors known to be male-dominated in our country, perhaps the first. Within OEDAŞ, I found that this perception does not exist and there is equality between men and women. The different ideas that emerge as a result create richness within teamwork and play an important role in reaching our goals in a shorter time." Another Electrical and Electronics Engineer, Zümerya Kımkak, spoke about being instrumental in breaking stereotypical thinking. Zümerya Kımkak said: "Although I sometimes struggle to break people's stereotypical thinking as a female engineer who takes an active role in field work, in the end I experience the joy of showing that women can exist in all areas beyond their usual roles in society," she said.